Covid-19 and the Outdoors

This community-centred project investigated how the Covid-19 pandemic reshaped relationships between communities and outdoor public space in Southampton. Working as a Community Participatory Action Researcher, I led a small-scale qualitative inquiry focused on access, care, and use of local green spaces during lockdown and its aftermath.

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I developed the research question, designed the methodology, and carried out the fieldwork using walking interviews as a tool for situated, embodied knowledge exchange. These interviews allowed for real-time, relational reflections from participants as they moved through outdoor spaces, surfacing rich insights into how green space was experienced differently across social, cultural, and economic lines during the pandemic.

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Through thematic analysis of the data, I drew out key concerns including spatial inequality, accessibility, care infrastructure, and the importance of everyday nature for wellbeing and connection. I then developed a report and including a set of actionable recommendations, subsequently disseminating these to local authorities and community organisations, to inform future public health and planning strategies.

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The project was part of a broader national initiative led by The Young Foundation to train and support place-based researchers to address issues relevant to their communities. As part of this work, I completed a Level 3 Certificate in Community Participatory Action Research, gaining formal recognition of my skills in ethical, inclusive, and collaborative research design and delivery.