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As a Social Scientist in the Society and Environment Research Group, Elliot delivers high-quality research across a range of projects, utilising both qualitative and quantitative methods. Elliot’s principal research interest focuses on land manager behaviours. Before joining Forest Research in December 2022, Elliot earned an MSc in Behavioural Science with merit from Durham University in 2021 and a first-class BA (Hons) in Human Geography from Aberystwyth University in 2020.

Key projects and Contributions

Mapping the Social Benefits of Woodland Creation and Expansion

Elliot leads a partnership with The National Forest, including case-study sites managed by The Woodland Trust and Forestry England. This project, funded by Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund, involves designing and evaluating a qualitative longitudinal research approach to mapping the social benefits of woodland creation/expansion. Elliot employs NVivo and ArcGIS for data analysis.

Core Research Programmes 3, 5 & 6

Aligned to the UK’s Science and Innovation Strategy, FR core programmes test social and spatial research methods to investigate the delivery and impact of woodland creation, expansion, delivery, and management across the UK. Through core programmes 3 & 5 Elliot has contributed to the design of new technologies, such as an R Shiny map application and questionnaire, and utilised R Studio for social data analysis. In programme 6 Elliot has led on the production of case studies on innovative woodland creation in Wales. The research team produced six case studies in 2023-24, awaiting publication.

Social Dimensions of Natural Colonisation

This research examines land manager behaviour (i.e. uptake) and perspectives on woodland creation through natural processes. Elliot focuses on language and communication, designing and facilitating workshops with industry stakeholders and interviewing diverse land managers. Elliot performs thematic and content analysis using NVivo software. A related journal paper is under review in People and Nature.

Tree Health Pilot Evaluation

As part of a co-design team, Elliot evaluates the pilot and contributes to recommendations made for policy improvements. This project is funded through the Future Proofing Plant Health Programme.

 

Head shot of FR staff Member Elliot Colley

Elliot Colley

BA (Hons), MSc
Social Scientist (Behavioural Science Specialist)
Society and environment research group (SERG)

Forest Research

620 Bristol Business Park

Coldharbour Lane

Bristol

BS16 1EJ

Related Research

Research

Understanding and mapping the socio-cultural benefits of forest recreation

Trees, woods, and forests provide multiple benefits to society, including those of social and cultural value. This research outlines a scoping study which sought to identify and test methods for spatially mapping and surveying the recreation attitudes and behaviours of people living in an area around Cannock Chase National Landscape.

Status current

Research

Mapping the Social Benefits of Woodland Creation and Expansion

This research aims to outline what would be needed and what the benefits would be in establishing a longitudinal research network of new planting sites with local communities in different locations to monitor the social benefits, attitudes, actions, motivations and barriers associated with this planting over time.

Status current

Other Research

Overcoming the Knowledge to Action Gap for Tree Health

Elliot researched knowledge networks to develop solutions for engaging farmers with tree health issues, resulting in the creation of a co-designed ‘knowledge product’ alongside our research, entitled: A Farmer’s Guide to Ash Dieback.

The public, visits to the countryside, and biosecurity (2023)

In 2023, Elliot co-designed and analysed a questionnaire conducted with 2000 people living in England. This research, funded by Defra, provided evidence on public understanding of biosecurity in the countryside. The study was conducted in close collaboration with colleagues at Forestry England.

NCEA NFI Acoustic and Bat Monitoring

Elliot was engaged in early-stage research seeking to develop an acoustic index for woodland recreation. He conducted a rapid literature review on recreational soundscapes within trees, woods, and forests (TWF). These insights led to proposals for using AudioMoth devices and integrated machine-learning to enhance the monitoring of recreational activity in TWF across the UK. This research is being conducted in collaboration with the Bat Conservation Trust.