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.
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 aimed 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
completed
Related Publications
Publication
Social Dimensions of Natural Colonisation
This report describes the outcomes of a recent Forest Research project which aimed to improve understanding of land managers decision-making concerning the uptake of natural colonisation as an approach to woodland creation.
Published
Themes
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.