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McMillan, V, 2025. Place matters: assessing the potential of the ecomuseum in the UK to (re)connect communities to their landscapes and help foster regenerative futures. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.
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Abstract
This thesis explores the potential of the ecomuseum in the UK as a mechanism and process through which to promote a more holistic ecological approach to understanding place and asks how this might help combat ‘cultural severance’, (re)connecting communities with their landscapes, in a way that fosters empowerment, inclusivity, resilience and regenerative thinking in the face of climate and ecological crisis. It represents the first large-scale study of UK ecomuseum practices. It provides a new understanding of ecomuseum practices and impact and develops the idea of land connectedness as a holistic term and framework through which to understand the deep connections we have to the places we live. Together, these are presented as a framework for the stewardship of integral dynamic social-ecological systems that are place-based, community-led, polyvocal and collaborative. This research uses case study methodology focusing on the first five UK ecomuseums: Skye Ecomuseum, launched in 2008; Flodden 1513, launched in 2012; Ecoamgueddfa in 2015; and Cateran and Spodden Valley Revealed, begun in 2018. Data was collected from 397 individuals using multiple methods, semi-structured interviews, surveys and creative personal ecologies mapping.
This thesis synthesises original data with transdisciplinary ideas of current research into community-based solutions. In doing so, it addresses the paucity of study of ecomuseal practice in the UK and adds to the knowledge of what part heritage can play in meeting the climate crisis in fostering inclusive, collaborative, resilient and regenerative community futures. The development of land connectedness provides a framework for a more holistic understanding of connections to place and the implications for care and sustainable behaviours, suggesting the potential for developing pathways to land connection with a wider application than ecomuseum practice alone.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Creators: | McMillan, V. |
| Contributors: | Name Role NTU ID ORCID |
| Date: | January 2025 |
| Rights: | The copyright of this work, including all images*, is held by the author. You may copy up to 5% of this work for private study, or personal, non-commercial research. Any re-use of the information contained within this document should be fully referenced, quoting the author, title, university, degree level and pagination. Queries or requests for any other use, or if a more substantial copy is required, should be directed to the author. * All images authors own unless stated otherwise |
| Divisions: | Schools > School of Arts and Humanities |
| Record created by: | Jeremy Silvester |
| Date Added: | 27 Jun 2025 15:05 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Jun 2025 15:05 |
| URI: | https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/53842 |
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0067-3139Actions (login required)
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