Research in the Dyfi Biosphere

The Dyfi Biosphere Partnership has established a Research sub group. It hopes to guide interactions between academics and the community, to promote collaboration and to encourage research that is relevant to the vision of the Biosphere.

In such an interesting area, people could be over-loaded by attention from researchers. Potential researchers have much to gain from formal association with, and approval from, the Dyfi Biosphere co-ordinators. This would include endorsement of their work, links into wider UNESCO structures and full co-operation from stakeholders and existing researchers. In return for this they would be required to:

  • engage with a community research forum if one is established, and
  • agree to any guidelines that may be developed covering contact with the public and other local stakeholders.

Mike Bailey of the Countryside Council for Wales produced a bibliography to accompany the Dyfi Biosphere’s 2008 application to UNESCO.

The Higher Education establishments in the Dyfi Biosphere are Aberystwyth University and the Graduate School of the Environment (GSE) at the Centre for Alternative Technology. Courses at the latter are validated by the University of East London. The Dyfi Biosphere has established good contacts at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences and with the department for Continuing Education at Aberystwyth.

Dissertations carried out by Aberystwyth undergraduate students include

  • Lucy Cansfield – Participation in the Biosphere redesignation process
  • Anna Williams – Public perceptions & understanding of environmental designations

Mark Hebden's 2006 MA dissertation 'Environmentality: UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and 
the globalisation of environmental governance'
was carried out at the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences in Aberystwyth.

Relevant work from MSc students at GSE include a discussion of action planning in the Dyfi Biosphere and of the potential for renewable energy.