Commoning, Coexistence and the New Forest with Miranda Willis

In the seventh episode of Series 2 of Speaking of Research, a podcast from the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership, we meet Miranda Willis, a doctoral researcher from the University of Southampton. Miranda’s research explores the intricate relationships between people, animals, and landscapes in the New Forest National Park, focusing on the centuries-old practice of Commoning - where local residents graze livestock on shared land.Against the backdrop of modern pressures such as tourism and development, Miranda examines how Commoning contributes to landscape management and biodiversity, while sustaining a deep cultural connection to place. Drawing inspiration from indigenous approaches to land stewardship, her work calls for a shift from ownership to shared care and responsibility. Using a blend of ethnography, visual methods, and mapping, Miranda aims to inform policy and promote coexistence, ensuring that traditions like Commoning continue to support sustainable futures.You can read a transcript of the conversation here.Find out more about the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership at southcoastdtp.ac.ukThis is a Research Podcasts production.Credits:Presenter: Catherine McDonald, Research PodcastsGuest: Miranda Willis, University of SouthamptonProducer: Krissie Brighty-Glover, Research PodcastsEditor: Anton Jarvis, Research PodcastsTranscripts: Lauren White, Research Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.