Nature-based integration: connecting communities with/in nature

Researchers: Dr Azadeh Fatehrad | Dr Davide Natalini ...

Project overview


This project will explore the role the natural environment can play in facilitating migrant integration in the UK and aims to inform national frameworks for integration and local integration initiatives.  

With an estimated 14% of residents born overseas, migrants and migrant-background communities play a crucial role in UK society. However, anti-immigrant sentiment and social divisions have grown over the last few years, highlighting the need for effective integration strategies. Growing bodies of research and practice demonstrate the role the natural environment can play in integrating migrant and non-migrant communities. However, UK policy remains focused on social and structural dimensions of integration, with little focus given to the physical environment. 

The research team will investigate different types of integration practices and informal interactions in a variety of natural environments, potential outcomes, how outcomes vary according to the type of natural environment and local population characteristics, the role of key stakeholders, and the challenges and barriers to nature-based integration. They will also consider conflicting and divergent uses of green space and the limitations of the natural environment as a resource for integration. The research will be broken down into two stages: 

  1. Surveying the field:
    • Conducting a scoping review of published research on the role of natural environments in migrant integration.
    • Creating a database of UK nature-based integration initiatives facilitated by charities, governments, and communities; and surveying the organisations identified.
    • Thematically analysing visual arts and films created by UK-based, migrant background artists that engage with the natural environment. 
  2. Nature-based integration in practice:
    • Working with local advisors in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, Blackburn with Darwen, and Greater London to identify suitable case study sites; and meeting with key local stakeholders to identify needs, interests, barriers, challenges, potential participants, and recruitment approaches.
    • Working collaboratively with a diverse range of residents to develop a map of the case study sites, identifying routes, activities, and safe/unsafe spaces.
    • Hosting workshops, co-designed with stakeholders, to support diverse community members to creatively represent their everyday experiences of the natural environment.  

The research team will engage with policy, practice, communities, and academia through a variety of dissemination activities. A public project report will be made available alongside an open-access database of nature-based integration initiatives in the UK. A nature-based indicator of integration will be developed to complement the existing Home Office Indicators of Integration framework. Policy and practice toolkits will be shared with stakeholders to outline barriers, strategies, interventions, and outcomes. This will be supplemented by policy briefs and a specific brief for the Local Authority for each case study site. Creative outputs from the workshops will be exhibited to a range of audiences at end-of-project events.  

Team


  • Dr Azadeh Fatehrad
    Kingston University
  • Dr Davide Natalini
    Anglia Ruskin University
  • Dr Hyab Yohannes
    University of Glasgow
  • Bonnie Denison-Day
    Kingston University
  • Clara Schade-Poulsen
    Kingston University
  • Burcu Keser
    Kingston University
  • Fatima Patel
    Kingston University
  • Zaqera Vepari
    Kingston University
  • Gianluca Palombo
    Anglia Ruskin University

  • Alex Beer headshot
    Head of Grants Operations and Portfolio Development
    Nuffield Foundation
  • Alice Reeves
    Research Grants and Programmes Manager
    Nuffield Foundation

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