Individual Conversations
Statement of Understanding
Phenomenology of Practice Project (PoPP)
Purpose of the Conversation
Individual Conversations provide an opportunity for focused discussion about phenomenology of practice, research, and writing.
These conversations are open to graduate students, researchers, educators, and others who wish to explore phenomenology of practice, whether they are beginning to consider a phenomenological inquiry or are already engaged in research.
A conversation might explore a developing research question, methodological concerns, philosophical sources, phenomenological writing, or challenges encountered in the course of an inquiry.
The intention is to offer thoughtful, constructive guidance that supports participants in developing their own understanding, judgment, and direction.
Nature and Scope
An Individual Conversation consists of one 60-minute online meeting, arranged at a mutually convenient time.
Participants are invited to identify the questions or concerns they would like to discuss beforehand. They may also share a brief description of their inquiry or a short excerpt of writing, ordinarily no more than two double-spaced pages, to provide context for the conversation.
The consultation is primarily conversational. It does not include detailed manuscript review, written feedback, editing, or ongoing correspondence. These services may be arranged separately where appropriate.
Fees and Payment
The fee for an Individual Conversation is CAD $110.
This includes the scheduled meeting and reasonable preparation based on materials agreed upon in advance.
Payment instructions will be provided when arrangements for the meeting are confirmed. Any additional services will be discussed and agreed upon separately before additional charges are incurred.
Scheduling, Cancellation, and Rescheduling
Meetings will be arranged with consideration for participants' locations and time zones.
Participants are asked to provide at least 24 hours' notice if they need to cancel or reschedule. With sufficient notice, a meeting may be rescheduled once without additional charge, subject to availability.
Unexpected circumstances sometimes arise. Requests to reschedule with less than 24 hours' notice will be considered individually, where reasonable.
Missed appointments or late cancellations without reasonable explanation may result in forfeiture of the consultation fee. Any additional meeting would require a new booking and payment.
If PoPP must cancel a scheduled meeting, the participant will be offered a mutually convenient alternative or a full refund.
These arrangements are intended to accommodate reasonable changes in circumstances while respecting the time reserved for each participant.
Confidentiality, Privacy, and Retention of Materials
Individual Conversations are conducted with respect for participants' privacy and the confidentiality of their developing research and writing.
Written materials, correspondence, and other information shared specifically for the consultation will be treated as confidential and will not be distributed, published, or used for other purposes without permission.
Conversations will not be recorded unless both parties have expressly agreed beforehand.
Consultation-related materials within PoPP's control will be deleted within 30 days following the completed conversation. This includes preparatory documents, writing samples, consultation notes, and associated correspondence or chat history.
Participants are responsible for retaining copies of any documents or correspondence they wish to keep. Information retained independently by third-party service providers may be subject to those providers' own retention policies.
Basic administrative and financial records, such as invoices, payment confirmations, and transaction records, may be retained separately where required for accounting, taxation, or legal purposes.
Participants retain authorship and responsibility for their own writing and research. They are asked not to share identifiable information about research participants unless appropriate authorization has been obtained.
Academic and Professional Responsibilities
Individual Conversations provide independent educational guidance. They do not constitute formal university supervision, institutional assessment, or endorsement of a research project.
Participants remain responsible for their research decisions, institutional requirements, ethics approvals, and the final form of their writing.
While every effort will be made to provide thoughtful and constructive guidance, no particular academic outcome, publication, or institutional approval can be guaranteed.
Agreement
Participants will have an opportunity to review this Statement of Understanding and raise any questions before confirming an appointment.
Scheduling and payment will proceed once the arrangements have been mutually agreed upon.