Are you a gay man of mixed heritage, with a story to share about intimacy or connection? Share your story and be part of a heartfelt research study exploring what it means to connect, with ourselves and with others.

Research Background
As a trainee psychotherapist and a gay man of mixed white British and Black Caribbean heritage, I’m passionate about exploring how culture, identity and personal history shape our capacity for connection. Drawing on my own lived experience, I’m inviting other gay men who share an experience of being, in their own way, of mixed heritage, to take part in a meaningful research study. This research is being conducted as part of my M.A. in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Together, we’ll explore what it means to connect, with ourselves and with others.Why take part?
This is a chance to share your experience in a safe and confidential space. In doing so, you’ll help deepen the understanding of intimacy within our community, giving voice to stories that too often go unheard.What’s involved?
A relaxed, confidential conversation focused on your lived experience, lasting no longer than 50 minutes. Interviews will take place online between December 2025 and February 2026. The identity and details of anyone who takes part will remain fully anonymous. Participation is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw from the study at any time without consequence.Who can join?
Gay-identifying men aged 18 or over, who in their own way identify as being of mixed heritage.How to get involved?

Any questions?
Please email [email protected]

This study is led by James Benenson, a trainee psychotherapist practising in London and M.A. student at the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education (CCPE). It is ethically approved and conducted in accordance with UKCP and GDPR standards, as part of the CCPE M.A. in Transpersonal Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Apply to Take Part

Thank you for your interest in participating in this research. This form will help me sensitively assess your eligibility, ensuring that your involvement is informed, voluntary, and ethically supported. So, please take your time completing it, reflecting honestly and comfortably. Due to the specific scope and requirements of the study, unfortunately not all applicants will be able to take part. If selected, you will be contacted directly and provided with a detailed consent form to review and sign.Your contact details will only be used to reach you regarding participation in this study and will not be shared or used for any other purpose.

Your information will be stored securely and in accordance with GDPR standards. Only the researcher (and supervisor if needed) will have access to this data. You may request to view, amend, or delete your information at any time prior to 31st January 2026

I understand that this is an academic research project and that my participation is voluntary, confidential, and subject to ethical review. I will be asked to sign a consent form before participating.

Data Protection and Privacy Policy

 

For the research study: Looking; Gay Men and the Search for Connection
Researcher: James Benenson, M.A. Student at CCPE, London, UK

 

1. Overview

This research project is committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy, in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. This policy outlines how your data will be collected, used, stored, and protected throughout the research process.

 

2. Who is Responsible for Your Data?

The data controller for this research project is:

James Benenson, M.A. Student at The Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education (CCPE)
Email: [email protected]

All data is collected solely for the purposes of academic research in fulfilment of the requirements for an M.A. degree and is supervised by an appointed academic supervisor at CCPE.

 

3. What Personal Data Will Be Collected?

Depending on the stage of your engagement with the study, the following data may be collected:

  • Name and contact details (email, phone number)
  • Demographic information (e.g., age, year of birth, cultural background)
  • Your responses to application questions
  • Participation Consent Forms (if you are selected as a participant)
  • Audio recordings and transcriptions of your interview (if you are selected as a participant)
  • Reflections, notes, or anonymised quotations relating to the research (as agreed on Consent forms prior to participation)

 

4. How Will Your Data Be Used?

Your data will be used exclusively for the purposes of this academic research project, including:

  • Assessing eligibility for participation
  • Contacting you to arrange participation
  • Conducting interviews and analysing experiences
  • Quoting anonymised extracts in the final dissertation or related presentations/publications (only with your full consent)
  • Reflecting on researcher-participant dynamics (in autoethnographic form, where applicable)

 

4.1 Applicants Not Selected for Participation

If you apply to take part but are not selected, your personal data (application responses, demographic information, and contact details) will be securely deleted within three months of the final participant selection process, and no later than 31st January 2026. Your data will not be used for any other purpose. No data from unselected applicants will be used in the research project or included in any reports or publications.

 

5. Lawful Basis for Processing

If you are selected to participate in the study, the lawful basis for processing your data is consent. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any point up to the agreed withdrawal deadline (1st March 2026) without explanation or consequence. After that point, anonymised data may already be incorporated into the research analysis and final write-up.

 

6. Data Storage and Security

All data will be digitally stored securely on encrypted, password-protected cloud services, specifically Google Drive, which complies with UK GDPR standards. File and folder access permissions are strictly limited to the researcher, ensuring only authorised access. Google Drive’s security measures include:

  • Data encryption at rest and in transit
  • Secure identity and access management
  • Compliance with recognised certifications (ISO 27001, ISO 27018, GDPR)

Audio recordings will be deleted promptly after transcription and verification.

 

7. Data Sharing

Your data will not be shared with any third parties. With your express consent, should anonymised quotations be used in publications, all identifying information will be removed or altered to preserve confidentiality.

 

8. Retention Period

  • Unsuccessful applicants' data: securely deleted by 31st January 2026.
  • Research participants' data (such as recordings, transcripts, and identifiable research notes) will be securely destroyed within one year of the dissertation submission, and no later than 1st December 2027.
  • Consent forms will be retained securely for a period of 6 years after dissertation submission (until 1st December 2033) to ensure compliance with ethical and auditing requirements, after which they will also be securely destroyed.
  • Anonymised data incorporated into the dissertation may be retained indefinitely according to CCPE’s academic requirements but will not contain any personally identifiable information.

 

9. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access the personal data held about you
  • Request corrections or updates
  • Withdraw consent and request deletion (up until 1st March 2026)
  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you are concerned about data handling.

For more information, visit the ICO website: https://ico.org.uk

 

10. Contact

For questions, data access requests, or concerns regarding your data, please contact:

 

James Benenson
[email protected]
Supervised by: Debbie Charles, MA Research Supervisor, CCPE