‘Staying Afloat Amidst the Depths of Ecological Inequalities: How can Jakarta’s land subsidence problem be addressed equitably across socioeconomic classes?’

• Researchers:
  • Angel Hartono, first-year Economic Studies and GSD student; and
  • Florence Valerie, second-year Economic Studies and GSD student.
• Supervisor: Dr Marta Guerriero (GSD)

"In this study, we aim to assess existing policies and identify potential improvements for Jakarta's land subsidence issue, which has been determined as the main cause of the city's rapid sinking. In the search for an equitable solution, the project follows participatory research involving communities from different socioeconomic backgrounds."

‘Public Views on Climate Justice Issues in the Maldives’

• Researcher: Isaac McGirr, fourth-year Sociology and GSD student

• Supervisor: Dr Marta Guerriero (GSD)

"I will be trying to understand people's views on climate justice in the Maldives. Small islands did very little to contribute to the problem of climate change, but due to rising sea levels their homelands may be lost and they'll be forced to relocate. How do people feel about this situation?"

Hear more from Isaac about his research project plans.

‘The Historical and Political Insurgence Behind Barbados's Republicanism’

• Researcher: Jorja Oladiran, third-year Liberal Arts student
• Supervisor: Professor David Lambert (History)

"My project is about investigating the historical and political reasons behind Barbados's decision to become a republic. Once a former colony, I will be asking people how they felt about this shift, what do they think will change, and most importantly what they hope to see change in the political landscape of the nation."

'When in the blaze, build windmills' - Headteacher Practice, the Role of Pragmatism, and the Issue of System Change in UK Education'

• Researcher: Georgios Pazaitis, second-year Education Studies and GSD student
• Supervisor: Dr Juliet Raynsford (Education Studies)

"I am researching the discourses, imaginaries and practices headteachers draw upon to define their role as educational leaders. Through fieldwork and interviews, I explore the role the concept of 'pragmatism' plays in the decision-making process of headteachers vis-à-vis policy and education system, to understand where they position themselves and their school communities in the question of 'system change'.

I am looking for schools to collaborate on this project starting in September 2022. Please reach out if you are interested to explore links."

‘Challenges and Opportunities for Small Organic Farming in Uttarakhand, India’

• Researcher: Madhura Sen, first-year Economic Studies and GSD student
• Supervisor: Dr Maria Gavris (GSD)

"Through this research project, I am trying to understand the economic viability of organic farming as opposed to conventional farming, in Uttarakhand, India. I am also trying to explore why some farming techniques are more economically resilient than others. I am working with a renowned organisation called Navdanya, which is helping me facilitate my farmer interviews."

Previous URSS projects

Take a look at some of the previous URSS research projects led by students from the School for Cross-faculty Studies:

• Szebasztián Csernik-Tihn, Economic Studies and GSD); Does Income Equality Make Us Populist?
• Virginia Thomas-Pickles, Single Honours GSD); Assessing the Impact of Woodland Planting on Plant Species Biodiversity in Temperate Woodlands
• Annabelle Early, Life Sciences and GSD; Treatment-Seeking Behaviour for Febrile Illnesses: Insights from Provincial-Level Representative Survey Data from Thailand and Laos.
• Melissa Yip, Politics and International Studies and GSD; Fighting the Climate Crisis: Singapore's First Floating Solar Farm and Public Housing with District Cooling