The Prospectory enjoys having an eclectic mix of projects on the go at any time. It stops us getting bored!
The Prospectory has just (April 2022) completed a domestic heat trial in 12 homes in rural Wales – its aim to explore how heating people rather than heating space can help both reduce energy and keep people warmer.
The Prospectory has just started a natural regeneration experiment in a field attached to an upland wood in Talybont on Usk.
Alison has also been working with her artist colleagues in Larks & Ravens together with 6th form Brecon Beacons college students creating alternative narratives and self portraits to bring the challenge of different voices into the Victorian Courtroom at Brecon y Gaer Museum. An exhibition ran in y Gaer for a month in April.
Some of The Prospectory’s past projects include:-
- Survey of 325 UK residents on what they find the enjoyable or meaningful or difference-making activities in their lives. Aim was to explore our ability to prosper enjoyably and meaningfully in a world of less economic growth, less consumption and less paid work.
- Jointly setting up the Eco Travel Network (2012-2018) which won the Green Transport Prize in 2013 and the Low Carbon Champions Award for Low Carbon Road Transport Initiative of the Year 2014.
- Studying psychology of low energy rural travel.
- Collaborative research on an art and conservation project
- Designing and running a trial of 2 converted electric buggies for tourists to use. The b-bug project was selected by the Guardian Green Travel List as one of the top 25 most innovative eco-tourism projects in 2011.
- Studying visitor travel in the Brecon Beacons National Park
- Studying how tourists find things out
- Co-designing and testing a unique 17 foot pedal powered boat ‘Winsome’ for use on canals, lakes and rivers.
- Researching wooden boat buying values and behaviour and the role of boat shows.
- Designing and running a trial of electric bikes.
- Designing and running a trial of smart energy meters in 10 Welsh homes
- Running an experiment on psychological reactions to food waste.
- Exploring live rugby as a consumer product for The Scarlets and Welsh Rugby Union.
- Designing and running experiments in consumer art appreciation and online retail.
The Prospectory 