Collective Action for Responsible Environment (CARE)

Welcome to the CARE research initiative. CARE (Collective Action for Responsible Environment) brings together researchers, policymakers, educators, businesses, community organisations and citizens to explore how environmental responsibility can be translated into collective action.

CARE focuses on environmental sustainability, circular economy, recycling, environmental responsibility and behaviour change. Through research, education and stakeholder engagement, we work collaboratively to generate evidence and practical solutions that support environmental sustainability and the common good.

Our work is informed by Common Good HRM, which emphasises that organisations have responsibilities not only to employees and economic outcomes, but also to communities, society and the environment. CARE extends this perspective by exploring how individuals, organisations and institutions can work together to address environmental challenges through collective responsibility and action.

Our work is guided by the belief that environmental challenges cannot be addressed by individuals acting alone and require collective responsibility and action across communities, organisations and public institutions.

If you would like to get in touch with us for any reason, you can find our details on our contact page.

Current Focus

CARE currently explores how awareness of environmental challenges can be translated into responsibility, collective responsibility and collective action.

Our current work focuses on:

lithium battery safety;
recycling and circular economy;
environmental responsibility;
sustainability transitions;
community engagement and behaviour change.

We work closely with public-sector organisations, schools, community groups, businesses and policymakers to co-produce evidence and develop practical solutions.

About us

Inform

We develop accessible resources and research-based insights that help individuals, organisations and communities understand environmental challenges and opportunities. Our educational materials aim to make complex sustainability issues engaging, understandable and relevant to diverse audiences.

Engage

We bring together researchers, policymakers, businesses, schools and community organisations to co-produce solutions to environmental and sustainability challenges.

Research

We conduct collaborative research to understand how environmental responsibility is understood, negotiated and translated into action. Our work contributes to evidence-informed policy and practice in areas such as sustainability, recycling, circular economy and environmental behaviour change.

Who we are

We are a multidisciplinary team committed to advancing knowledge and understanding of environmental responsibility, collective action and sustainability for the common good.

Team

Dr Tarek Rashwan
Dr Isidora Kourti
Dr Aqueel Wahga,
Dr Khadija Tahera
Prof. Caroline Clarke
Dr Richard Longman
Dr Oznur Yurt,
Prof Toni Gladding

The Open University CARE Leadership Team

Dr Olga Andrianova

Lecturer in Management, The Open University
ORCID: 0009-0006-5806-1422

Dr Olga Andrianova is a Lecturer in Management in the Department of People and Organisations at The Open University and an Early Career Researcher specialising in sustainable work, organisational learning and responsible management. Her research focuses on Sustainable Human Resource Management, Common Good HRM, employee environmental engagement, workplace learning and game-based approaches to behaviour change.

Her work has been published in leading journals including Business Strategy and the Environment. She has led and contributed to a range of participatory and co-produced research projects, including initiatives on Green Game Design and responsible hazardous waste management. Olga is also Lead of the Common Good HRM Research Cluster at The Open University, where she works with academic and external partners to explore how organisations can contribute to social and environmental sustainability.

Dr Isidora Kourti

Senior Lecturer in Management, The Open University
ORCID: 0000-0002-8223-346X

Dr Isidora Kourti is a Senior Lecturer in Management whose research focuses on inclusion, identity, organisational collaboration and participatory research. Her work examines how individuals and organisations collaborate across professional, organisational and social boundaries, with particular interests in diversity, knowledge exchange and stakeholder engagement.

She has published in internationally recognised journals including European Management Review, European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology and Scandinavian Journal of Management. Isidora has extensive experience in collaborative and participatory research design, evaluation and stakeholder engagement across a range of organisational settings.

Dr Steve Parker

Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Management, The Open University
ORCID: 0000-0002-9118-2641

Professor Steven Parker is an internationally recognised scholar of public management and governance. His research explores local government, public service delivery, collaborative governance and cross-boundary working, with a particular focus on how organisations and institutions work together to address complex societal challenges.

He has published widely in leading journals including Public Administration, Public Management Review, Local Government Studies and Public Money & Management. His work has informed debates on public sector reform, partnership working and organisational coordination, and he has extensive experience of collaborating with public sector organisations and policymakers.

Prof Toni Gladding

Professor in Environmental Management and Sustainability, The Open University
ORCID: 0000-0002-2011-5046

Dr Toni Gladding is an environmental scientist specialising in waste management, environmental health and safety, and the circular economy. Her research focuses on waste systems, hazardous materials, resource recovery and the translation of scientific evidence into effective policy and practice.

She has published in leading journals including Waste Management & Research and Critical Public Health, and is actively involved in the Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) Forum. Her work supports policymakers, regulators, industry stakeholders and communities in addressing environmental and public safety challenges associated with waste management and hazardous materials.

OU Wales

Dr Sarah Roberts
OU Wales

Partner Organisations

Our work is strengthened through collaboration with organisations across education, research, sustainability, public services and community engagement. Together, these partnerships provide learners with authentic experiences, specialist expertise, real-world case studies and opportunities to make a positive impact.

Current and prospective partners include:

Cardiff Council

Cardiff Council is the local authority for Wales' capital city and works to improve the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of local communities. Through partnership activities, Cardiff Council supports educational outreach, community engagement and sustainability initiatives.

Website: https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/

OU Wales (The Open University in Wales)

The Open University in Wales is the nation's largest provider of part-time higher education, supporting over 16,000 learners across Wales. OU Wales brings expertise in flexible learning, widening participation, research and knowledge exchange.

Website: https://university.open.ac.uk/wales/en

Viridor Education Centre

The Viridor Education Centre at Cardiff Energy Recovery Facility provides engaging educational experiences focused on waste reduction, recycling, sustainability and the circular economy. The centre helps learners understand how waste can be managed responsibly and transformed into resources and energy.

Website: https://www.viridor.co.uk/energy-from-waste/visiting-our-facilities/car…

St Illtyd's Catholic High School

St Illtyd's Catholic High School is a leading secondary school in Cardiff with a strong commitment to educational excellence, community engagement and learner development. Collaborative projects provide valuable opportunities for learner participation and co-creation.

Website: https://stilltyds.org.uk/

Natural Resources Wales

Natural Resources Wales is the Welsh Government-sponsored body responsible for ensuring Wales' natural resources are sustainably managed, maintained and enhanced. Their expertise supports environmental education, biodiversity, climate action and sustainability-focused initiatives.

Website: https://naturalresources.wales/

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service works to make South Wales safer by reducing risk and protecting communities. Partnership activities may include safety education, resilience, emergency preparedness and community engagement programmes.

Website: https://www.southwales-fire.gov.uk/

Learning Design Services (LDS)

The Open University's Learning Design Services team specialises in evidence-based curriculum design, learner-centred educational experiences and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Their expertise helps ensure projects are engaging, effective and accessible.

Website: https://business.open.ac.uk/academic-collaboration/learning-design

Knowledge Media Institute (KMi)

The Open University's Knowledge Media Institute is a world-leading research and innovation centre focusing on artificial intelligence, digital technologies, learning innovation and human-centred technology. KMi brings research expertise and cutting-edge innovation to collaborative projects.

Website: https://kmi.open.ac.uk/

Keep Wales Tidy

Keep Wales Tidy is an environmental charity dedicated to creating a cleaner, greener Wales. The organisation works with schools, communities and businesses to tackle litter, improve green spaces and inspire environmental action.

Website: https://keepwalestidy.cymru/

Cardiff University (ReLiB)

About: Through the ReLiB (Reuse and Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries) network and wider Cardiff University collaborations, this partnership supports research, innovation and sustainability around resource efficiency, circular economy principles and future-focused environmental technologies.

Website: https://relib.ac.uk/