A new project on walking has been launched this week at the University of Aberdeen. Over the next two years, researchers in the Department of Anthropology will be working - and walking - with people in and around Aberdeen to find out how and why they walk, and what could be done to improve the lives of walkers.
The researchers are appealing to anyone with an interest in walking to get in touch and share their stories. This could involve anyone from hikers to school children, or from shoppers to dog owners. How the city has changed over the years from the perspective of the walker should also provide some insights into the experience of life in Aberdeen, as well as a better understanding of walking itself.
The project 'Culture from the ground: walking, moving and placemaking' will look at how walking varies between different places, such as the countryside, suburbs, and city centre, and between different times, including summer and winter, and day and night. Walking at different stages of life, from childhood to old age, will also be studied. The project is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.
The research will involve a range of innovative methods, as the main researcher, Dr Jo Lee, explained: 'I'll be spending a lot of time walking and talking with people in their everyday lives in Aberdeen, but we also plan to use technology, such as a Global Positioning System, digital camera and sound recording equipment, to understand people's walking habits. How does the way we walk reflect our state of mind and our bodies, and the state of the environment that we're in? There are also plenty of practical topics that we can contribute to - debates on pedestrianisation, access, lighting, and street safety, for example.'
The project leader, Professor Tim Ingold, said: 'This is a very exciting project that will make a good contribution to local life as well to questions in anthropology. In building on previous research at this university on hill walking in Scotland, we are establishing Aberdeen as a centre for studies of this kind.'
Jo Lee can be contacted on 01224 272738, or by e-mail at j.lee@abdn.ac.uk.