Faculty of Social Sciences
Department of Geography
Staff Profile
Anastasia Harrison
a.harrison@open.ac.uk
Research Student
Geography
Profile
After 10 years delivering international media campaigns, I am now atoning for encouraging consumption by turning my focus to concerns of climate change, sustainability and the pathway to a post carbon society. I am in the second year of my PhD exploring the growth of grassroots community-led sustainability initiatives.
Qualifications
MSc Environment, Science & Society - University College London (2010)
Advanced Certificate - Chartered Institute of Marketing, (2002)
BA (Hons) Geography - Oxford (1997)
Professional affiliations
Postgraduate Fellow, Royal Geographical Society with Institute of British Geographers
Member, OpenSpace Research Centre
Member, British Sociological Association & BSA Climate Change study group
Member, UKERC Sparks Research Network
Research Interests
My research is inspired by my recent journey to becoming concerned by sustainability issues and joining local grassroots groups in London. Such groups are growing in number, are exhibiting different characteristics to the environmental groups of old and are attracting new types of members. At the same time, 'community' and community groups are increasingly conceived as delivery mechanisms for behaviour change interventions in both policy and research and yet are often treated as homogeneous entities. Thus my project aims to provide a more nuanced understanding by examining how participants are being mobilised via an ethnographic exploration of the new groups and networks in my local area.
Other interests
Alongside my academic interests, I am also an active member of my local community sustainability groups, environmental and climate change networks. Down-time involves amateur photography, hiking and very unskilled gardening.