Thank you for taking the time to participate in this research project. This survey forms part of my doctoral research at Bakke Graduate University, Dallas, Texas, examining:
“Psychological Safety Within the Authority Structures of the Church of England.”
My name is Augustine, and I'm currently serving as a priest within the Church of England, and have been committed to seeing the flourishing of all people within the life of the church. I'm conducting this research to learn about experiences and how to best move forward with the data for developing a more psychologically safe church.
Psychological safety is a term coined by Harvard professor Dr. Amy Edmondson to describe a work or group environment where people feel safe to take interpersonal risks. In simple terms, it means:
A culture where individuals feel able to speak up, ask questions, admit mistakes, share ideas, or raise concerns without fear of embarrassment, punishment, or rejection.
Key Elements of Psychological Safety
Respectful Communication
People listen to one another and treat each other’s perspectives seriously.
Trust and Acceptance
Team members believe their colleagues will not shame, ridicule, or penalise them for speaking honestly.
Permission to Make Mistakes
Everyone is allowed to be human—errors are treated as opportunities to learn, not grounds for humiliation.
Inclusivity and Belonging
Everyone feels they have a place and a voice, regardless of background, identity, or status.
Openness About Uncertainty
Leaders model vulnerability—they say “I don’t know” or “I was wrong,” which permits others to do the same.
Your participation will help deepen understanding of how authorised ministers (ordained clergy, licensed lay ministers, Readers, and other authorised lay leaders) experience safety, belonging, and freedom to speak within their parish, deanery, and diocesan settings. Confidentiality, Data Storage, and Security:
Your responses are fully anonymous.
No identifiable information will be collected. To meet ethical and UK GDPR requirements, data will be:
• stored on a password-protected, encrypted drive
• accessible only to the researcher and supervisory team
• stored securely until the conclusion of the project
• permanently deleted at the end of analysis
• not shared with any diocese or Church institution
No individual, parish, deanery, or diocese will be identifiable in the published dissertation.
Emotional Wellbeing Notice
Some questions involve sensitive experiences of leadership, conflict, exclusion, or distress within ministry. Before beginning, please consider whether you feel emotionally able to complete the survey. It may be wise to complete it with a trusted friend or colleague present, particularly if you have previously experienced harm in church settings. If you become distressed, please consider accessing support through
: • Samaritans: 116 123
• Mind: 0300 123 3393
• Shout Crisis Text Line: Text SHOUT to 85258
• NHS Mental Health Helpline: Call 111, option 2
• Pastoral Advisory Service (CofE): via Church of England Safeguarding pages
Participation is voluntary, and you may skip any question. By proceeding, you indicate your informed consent to take part. Thank you for contributing to this important work.
Thank you for contributing to this valuable work,
Revd Dr Augustine Tanner-Ihm
