Frances Wright
About me
Trained as an architect and designer, I have long contended that we will only create communities that are sustainable and resilient if we take a less anthropocentric approach to life. Accept that we are a part of the wider ecosystem, not separate from it. And use our intellect and insight to learn from and actively work with nature to consciously set about designing human-natural systems which deliver multiple and muti-species benefits.
Personal Interests
My current research stems from a long-term interest in sustainable design, ecology and the natural sciences. Coupled with an innate desire to understand why certain situations tend to unfold in the way they do, and how we might best intervene to ensure that limited resources can be used efficiently and effectively to generate more beneficial outcomes.
Project Title
Gathering Voices: A human-natural systems approach to developing integrated place-based strategies to improve the long-term sustainability and resilience of rural communities in Scotland.
Project Description
The aim of my research is to explore whether the concept of a human-natural system might be practically applied by rural communities as an aid to developing integrated context-specific strategies that foster both community regeneration and advance long-term sustainability and resilience.
By conceptualising place as a complex, dynamic and self-organising human-natural system, the study seeks to:
- Identify the causal relationships that interconnect different aspects of life within these rural communities. And understand how this web of interactions influences system behaviour and shapes the ongoing evolution of the community.
- Explore how a systems approach might be practicably employed by rural communities to generate integrated place-based strategies which strengthen local sustainability and resilience.
- Identify the challenges and opportunities inherent in applying systems thinking tools for this purpose at a local community or stakeholder level.
My intention is to carry out this research with local communities on the Isles of Uist.
Supervisors
Qualifications
Postgraduate Certificate in Research Training
2022-2023, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
MSc in Design and Construction of Zero Carbon and Ultra-Low Energy Buildings
Master of Science - Distinction
2013-2014, College of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Dundee
BDes in Interior and Environmental Design
Bachelor of Design - First Class Honours
2009-2013, DJCAD, College of Art, Science and Engineering, University of Dundee
BArch in Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture - RIBA Part 2
1989-1991, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Dundee
BSc in Architecture
Bachelor of Science - RIBA Part 1
1985-1988, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Dundee
Papers and Publications
Onyango, V., Burford, N., and Wright, F., 2021. Research Project: Developing a Scotland wide Section 3F Planning Policy. Edinburgh: The Scottish Government. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/developing-scotland-wide-section-3f-planning-policy/
Burford, N., Onyango, V. and Wright, F., 2019. LZCGT impact on GHG reductions in Scotland’s new domestic buildings. Energy Policy, Issue 129, pp 34-52.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2019.02.006
Alwaer, H., Cooper, I., Wright, F., Murray, K., and MacPherson, I., 2017. Shaping better places together: Research into facilitating participatory placemaking. Dundee: University of Dundee. Available from: https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/shaping-better-places-together-research-into-facilitating-partici
Onyango, V., Burford, N., Wright, F. and Moyo, D., 2016. The Effectiveness of Greenhouse Gas Emission Policies in Scottish Local Development Plans. Edinburgh: ClimateXChange.
Available from: https://www.climatexchange.org.uk/research/projects/effectiveness-of-greenhouse-gas-emission-policies-in-local-development-plans/
Funding
UKRI ESRC NINE DTP 3.5 Studentship Award