Author Archives: Alison Kidd
Scything a path through our field
We discovered last summer that it was definitely necessary to cut back the grass to keep a path up the field to the wood. Last year we did this with strimmers which worked but were hardwork, noisy & fuel hungry. … Continue reading
Update – foldable, deployable dome structures on Arran
Great to hear the latest progress from another of our ‘I’ve got an Idea’ fund projects. On the isle of Arran, Alistair is experimenting with geometric principles to construct dome like structures for occasional or emergency housing which can be … Continue reading
Mobile waste water collector & washing station update
Delightful to hear from Lucy Powell of Outside Lives Ltd in North Wales today with an update of the first ‘I’ve got an idea Fund’ award we made. They had an idea to try to construct a mobile handwashing station … Continue reading
Art, conversation & Pie-economics
The endless joy and stimulation of working as an experimental psychologist with visual artists…. Larks & Ravens has just run our first experimental Pie Supper at https://bricksbristol.org/ We invited 4 guests to use art and sharing a pie supper to … Continue reading
Idea Fund Award : Using everyday items to manufacture complex scaffolds for tissue regeneration
We are delighted to announce our first ‘I’ve got an Idea’ Fund award of 2023 to Dr Ramneek K. Johal, a research scientist in the fields of biomaterials and regenerative medicine. As well as working on defined projects, Ramneek likes … Continue reading
Does IR heating keep you warm without wasting energy?
In terms of domestic heating, the UK faces a major challenge from the combination of fossil fuel reduction, the rising cost of energy and our poorly insulated housing stock. We need to find ways to keep people comfortably and affordably … Continue reading
Experiencing an Idea Fund project live at ‘Hot in Here’ performance
Thoroughly enjoyable visit to Bath this week to meet Pigfoot Theatre and see their energy harvesting dance floor tiles (funded through our ‘I’ve got an idea’ fund) in action in their powerful & joyous ”Hot in Here’ performance. Well done … Continue reading
Researching households who use Infrared heating
This month, I’m interviewing 20 UK households who are heating their homes with Infrared heating. How do they use it? How well does it work for them? How much energy does it use? As an experimental psychologist, I’m trying to … Continue reading
How to plan a research project
I thought this guide might be over simplistic but actually it makes some very useful points and I strongly recommend a read. I certainly was reminded of mistakes I’ve made in my multiple research projects over the years.
Is it bad to be “Economically Inactive”?
Listening to the Radio 4 Today programme this morning, someone was being interviewed about the current problem of high job vacancy rates partly as a result of the growth in “inactive” people following the Covid epidemic. “Inactive” it seems has … Continue reading
The Prospectory 