What support is helpful when doing community led research around environmental projects?
How can the support help navigate and balance power dynamics to make research more equitable?
We would like to invite you to take part in an interview to understand the experiences of community members who have been doing environment research with support and/or facilitation from Science Ceilidh and/or Community Knowledge Matters.
This is to better understand how to navigate power dynamics in community research and exploring the role of an intermediary providing support to match partnerships between community and researchers, navigating the funding process, developing peer learning opportunities and capacity building - what has worked well, what has been challenging and what could be developed further. This study is being carried out by Sophie Kendrick, a master’s student at University of Edinburgh and Scotland's Rural College, in collaboration with Science Ceilidh.
The interviews will be up to 60 minutes, involve creative exploration as well as open discussion, and can organised flexibly to suit you either:
- Online for anyone who has been involved in climate action and research with support from Science Ceilidh between Sunday 15 June to Sunday 22 June
- In-Person for those in the Isle of Skye (or nearby) between Monday 23 June - Saturday 28 June.
There are also £20 vouchers available as a small contribution towards your time.
This study was approved by the University of Edinburgh and SRUC ethics board on 28th April 2025.
Before making any decision, it is important that you understand why the research is being done and what you will be asked to do. Please read the following information below and feel free to contact us if anything is unclear or if you would like further information.
If you are interested in participating, please fill out the linked google form with your availability. If you indicate you are interested, we will email you to follow up with further details.
Participant Information
Why is this study taking place?
We are collaborating with Sophie Kendrick, a master’s student from University of Edinburgh, to conduct interviews on the experience of participating in community-based projects around environment action in rural Scotland.
There is not much known about the role of intermediaries supporting communities directly working between the researchers, policy makers and the funders, to help readdress and balance the power dynamics in traditional research.
We hope to gain an understanding of the challenges and benefits of having an intermediary support such processes like Science Ceilidh’s role as a “Development Coordinator” with the Ideas Fund and Highlands and Islands Climate Change Community Grants or coordinating the Community Knowledge Matter network.
This information could help inform how future projects and programmes are supported making this a more equitable experience for everyone involved, and where it is helpful, encourage other research institutions and funders to invest in this approach.
This information would be written up in Sophie’s master’s dissertation, which will be accessible to anyone who would like to read it.
Why have I been asked to take part?
You have been involved with community-based projects with Science Ceilidh, such as an Ideas Fund project, Climate Change grant project, or Science Ceilidh network like CKM. Your knowledge and perspectives on this topic are valuable and could help future projects be more effective and equitable.
Do I have to take part?
No, it is up to you whether you take part in this research study. You are able to withdraw once the interview has concluded for up to two days, but once your anonymised data has been analysed and consolidated, it will not be possible to identify and/or remove the data.
If I agree to take part, what will I have to do?
You will be asked a series of questions in a semi-structured interview setting, either online or in person as suits you. These questions will surround your experience working with Science Ceilidh on a community-based project. This should take between 30 minutes and 1 hour of your time. While we talk, you will have the option of creating a page of art as the interviewer creates their own art page in order to foster an informal environment. With your permission, these pages will be compiled into a zine explaining the conclusions of this research study, of which you will be offered a copy. We ask you not to disclose anything personal and any identifying information given will be removed before the answers are shared more widely.
How will my responses be used?
Your responses will be transcribed into anonymised documents which will then be analysed by Sophie as she searches for themes in participant responses. These themes will be translated into recommendations for future projects with a special focus on how Science Ceilidh can be the most effective and ethical support system for community projects. These results will appear in Sophie’s MSc dissertation, of which you may receive a copy. Results will also be compiled into a zine featuring participant’s and Sophie’s artwork created during interviews. All participants will receive a copy of this zine as well.
What will happen to my personal information?
All personal information we collect will be kept confidential.
What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
There are no foreseeable risks associated with taking part in this research study. If you do not want to answer an interview question, you are welcome to skip it.
Who is carrying out this research?
Sophie will be conducting interviews and analyzing the responses under the supervision of Lewis Hou (Director of Science Ceilidh) and Dr. Hannah Grist (Lecturer at Scotland’s Rural College).
What if I have questions or want further information?
Contact Sophie Kendrick (MSc student at University of Edinburgh and SRUC) at sophie.kendrick2019[AT]gmail.com or supervisors Lewis Hou (lewis[AT]scienceceilidh.com) and Hannah Grist (hannah.grist[AT]sruc.ac.uk)