What’s the project?
Researchers at the University of Birmingham, Nottingham Trent University, and the NSPCC are running a research project to better understand how online blackmail affects LGBTQ+ young people and how support services (like the NSPCC) can do a better job of helping.
Online blackmail is when someone threatens to share private things online (like images, videos, messages, or personal information about your identity or relationships) unless you do what they want.
The team want to speak to LGBTQ+ young people aged 16–19 who have past (not current) experience of this. Your experiences can help the team:
- understand what online blackmail looks like for LGBTQ+ young people
- learn what support young people actually want
- help create resources that are safe, clear, and youth-friendly
- improve how adults and organisations respond
This study is being carried out by LGBTQ+ researchers at the University of Birmingham, Nottingham Trent University, and the NSPCC. The questions were co-designed with LGBTQ+ young people to make sure they feel relevant and supportive.
Ethical approval has been granted by the University of Birmingham and the NSPCC.
Find out more
The team are looking for 20 LGBTQ+ young people to take part in a one‑off interview (around 1 hour). The interview will take place online (Zoom or Teams).
The interview will be audio-recorded so the researchers can write it up accurately. Video won’t be used and will be deleted but you will need to have your camera on during the interview.
- be 16–19 years old
- identify as LGBTQ+
- live in the UK or Channel Islands
- have past (not current) experience of online blackmail
- have access to a private space and a device for an online call
- £25 e‑gift voucher as a thank-you for your time
- A supportive interview space with LGBTQ+ researchers
- Signposting to LGBTQ+ and young-person friendly support services
You can sign up to take part here: https://ntupsychology.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_55swFKzjkUXhfvM
You can also email any of the researchers directly if have any questions:
- Dr Chase Staras (he/him) – [email protected]
- Dr Willem Stander (he/him) – [email protected]
- Dr Liam Cahill (he/him) – [email protected]
5 pm on Friday, 6th March 2026
Please note that the McPin Foundation regularly promotes opportunities on behalf of other institutions; we are not responsible for the continuation or contents of further correspondence with any project partners where we are not listed as the project main point of contact.
