An Invitation to Co-Design a New Research Project
The Cornwall National Landscape (CNL) is more than a
protected area; it is a living, working, culturally rich place. From the
rugged Atlantic coast to Bodmin Moor, from fishing coves and estuaries to
farmland and historic settlements, these landscapes carry deep ecological
value, shape local identity, and support thousands of livelihoods.
But they also face growing pressures: climate change,
coastal erosion, rising visitor numbers, shifting agricultural policy, rural
housing challenges, and competing demands on land and sea.
My PhD research at Falmouth University explores these
pressures and possibilities, and I want to involve the people who know these
landscapes best.
The Research Question
How does social capital influence
environmental stewardship and sustainable business development in protected
landscapes, and in what ways can the Community Capitals Framework (CCF) be
applied to assess and enhance governance outcomes in the Cornwall National
Landscape (CNL) five-year plan?
Research Aim
To explore tensions between sustainable business growth and
conservation.
Research Focus
To understand how social capital, the relationships,
trust, networks, and norms that connect people and organisations, shapes
environmental stewardship and sustainable economic development across the CNL.
This project is guided by a simple principle:
Cornwall’s landscapes are lived-in and cared-for by
communities: so they should play a central role in shaping the research.
This blog post is an invitation to co-design the project,
refine what matters, and ensure that the outcomes reflect real experiences on
the ground.
What Is the Research About?
At its core, the project asks how protected landscapes,
historically focused on conservation and recreation, can also help strengthen:
- Local
economies
- Community
wellbeing
- Cultural
resilience
- Ecological
integrity
This brings together several ongoing debates in Cornwall and
the wider UK:
- Heritage
& Identity: Engine houses, fishing harbours, Cornish hedges, and
Kernewek all require investment, care, and sensitive management.
- Tourism:
A vital economic driver, but one that places pressure on ecosystems,
infrastructure, and community life.
- Land
& Sea Stewardship: Policies increasingly emphasise nature
recovery, climate action, and sustainable land management.
- Community
Voice: Many Cornish communities seek more inclusive governance models
that reflect their identity, rights, and aspirations for year-round living
and working.
Understanding these dynamics requires collaboration and not
just academic analysis.
Why Co-Design?
Cornwall National Landscape is a complex social–ecological
system shaped by farming, fishing, mining, migration, culture, and centuries of
environmental change. To study it meaningfully, the research must involve those
who understand it from lived experience.
Co-design brings:
Local knowledge
Insights from residents, farmers, fishers, guides, and
community volunteers who understand seasonal rhythms, pressures, and
opportunities.
Industry & heritage expertise
Tourism operators, environmental bodies, and cultural
organisations can highlight business realities, visitor trends, and heritage
needs.
Shared decision-making
Participants help shape the research questions, methods, and
interpretation of findings.
Real-world impact
Co-produced research produces recommendations that support
planning, governance, sustainable tourism, cultural initiatives, and
community-led action.
How You Can Contribute
There are several ways to get involved, all voluntary and
flexible:
1. Feedback on Research Direction
- What
issues matter most to you?
- What
tensions or opportunities do you see?
- Where
do policies or practices fall short?
2. Community Conversations / Interviews
Share lived experience of tourism, farming, fishing,
conservation, heritage, housing, or local business.
3. Participatory Workshops
Workshops will explore priorities such as sustainable
tourism, nature recovery, cultural identity, and community wellbeing.
4. Longer-Term Collaboration (optional)
Help sense-check findings, co-interpret results, or
co-develop practical frameworks.
Themes Where Your Insight Matters Most
I particularly welcome views on:
- The
future role of tourism
- Balancing
heritage (from mining landscapes to Kernewek) with sustainability
- Farming,
fishing, and land/sea management experiences
- Community
wellbeing, cultural identity, and economic resilience
- Environmental
change, coastal pressures, and seasonality
- How
relationships, networks, and social capital shape decision-making
- What
a “sustainable future for Cornwall” looks like to you
Your perspective will help shape a more grounded, meaningful
research project.
Get Involved
If you’d like to participate or stay informed:
📩 Email:
NG286123@falmouth.ac.uk
👥
Attend a workshop: Dates to be announced
🔗
Recommend people or groups to contact
All participation is confidential and entirely voluntary.
Closing Thoughts
Protected landscapes belong to both their past and their
future. As Cornwall navigates changes in tourism, environment, governance,
livelihoods, and cultural identity, we need new ways of understanding and
managing these places.
Co-designed research recognises that landscape stewardship
is not an abstract policy exercise, it is lived, negotiated, contested, and
cared for every day by the people who call Cornwall home.
Whether you farm on Bodmin Moor, manage a heritage site, run
a business, volunteer in conservation, speak Kernewek, or simply love
Cornwall’s landscapes, your insight is
invaluable.
I look forward to listening, learning, and shaping this
research together.
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