REC Research

This study investigates the networks and relationships that develop to sustain and support volunteers running food banks in two rural market towns. Food banks have been studied at length, however, the volunteer perspective and relationships that are developed by smaller, independent food banks, operating in rural communities is less well understood. This study aims to deliver insights into how local people and businesses interact and support more vulnerable people within them, in times of crisis. Through in-depth interviews with volunteers, local business people and referral agencies, the project maps relationships to understand their interactions and to what extent the rural context shapes the service and the needs of service users. It seeks to uncover any specific challenges or advantages that volunteers and local agencies identify and will consider possible implications for the future of the food banks, the volunteers and their users.

(PI Liz Moody)

The OU is a partner in the ICAERUS four-year project. which aims to increase the business use of drones in agriculture, forestry and rural areas across Europe. It stands for ‘Innovation and Capacity building in Agricultural Environmental and Rural UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) Services’.

This Horizon Europe-funded project aims to benefit agricultural communities and a range of stakeholders from the private sector to public bodies developing policies and offering funding for innovation. It has four areas of activities – research; develop and demonstrate; educate and train; and scale-up.

The ‘ICAERUS Academy’ has developed one course so far - The course aims to cultivate a foundational skill set related to developing business ideas for drone technologies.

The OU team welcome project partners from across Europe for the annual meeting of the ICAERUS project board on campus in Milton Keynes in June 2024.

(PI Giacomo Carli, with Kristen Reid, Despoina Filiou and Jie Deng)

This project delves into the unique landscape of rural family businesses in La Rioja, Spain, an area celebrated for its rich agricultural and viticultural heritage. It aims to explore the integration of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within these businesses. The primary objectives are to pinpoint the specific challenges and opportunities these rural enterprises face in implementing sustainability frameworks, and to provide tailored, actionable recommendations that support enhanced sustainable practices. Special attention is given to the dynamics of intergenerational family businesses, focusing on strategies that leverage their unique position to foster long-term sustainability in line with Agenda 2030.

(PI Sara Calvo-Martinez)

Wi-Fi and mobile data connectivity do not have universal coverage, especially in rural areas in the UK; where there is Wi-Fi coverage the speeds tend to be slower as properties are further away from the external street cabinet routers. Wi-Fi speeds can be ineffective as little as 1.2km Wi-Fi from the cabinet. The move to only online learning in March 2020 was the catalyst to investigate if Wi-Fi connectivity impacts student experience, especially as students were unable to access Wi-Fi from work, cafes or libraries during the pandemic. The project surveyed over 400 OU level two and level three students (QAA level 5 and level 6 respectively). The research identified local connectivity (Wi-Fi and mobile data) does have a disadvantage to student learning experience. The outcomes of this research has informed the OU’s Access and Participation Plan digital inclusion objectives and the OU’s inclusive tuition strategies guidance.

Select this link for more information Does Wi-Fi/data connectivity disadvantage OU students?

(PI Sonja Rewhorn and Vicky Johnson)