Gardham, S.L (2025) Becoming 'Good Neighbours': How the model of English common land can inspire equitable and sustainable multi-species relationships. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University. doi: 10.17870/bathspa.00017506
Preview |
Text
17506.pdf Repository Terms Apply. Download (11MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Against a backdrop of accelerating anthropocentric environmental breakdown, this thesis examines how English common land can inspire sustainable and equitable multi-species relationships. I consider this question via a case study of Rodborough Common in Gloucestershire. Combining historical, environmental, and qualitative research with my professional conservation experience, I examine what this lowland working common can tell us about different ways of interacting with our multi-species neighbours. Using analysis of semi-structured interviews, historical sources, auto-ethnography, and ecological observations, I present a range of more-than-human commoners' stories. I also analyse two examples of engagement projects that test Environmental Humanities methods and theories. The study finds present-day relationships with common land rooted in communal and individual place memories, bound in attitudes of sharing, openness, and a strong commoning tradition. These enable embodied and free encounters with others and engender feelings of love, care, and personal responsibility for the future of the land and its inhabitants. The thesis concludes that Rodborough Common shows some congruence with Ostrom's principles of common pool resource management, but full alignment is prevented by centralised controls and a lack of localised autonomy. Despite this, commons such as Rodborough can thrive when use and management are rooted in respect for past and present commoners, and the co-creative agency of other-than-humans. Furthermore, the important role commons can play in encouraging multi-species community cohesion suggests that more such spaces are needed. One place is not, however, automatically exchangeable for another, suggesting simply enabling greater access to land would not significantly improve inter-species relations. Instead, the quality of interaction, which must be predicated on rural realities rather than mythical constructions, is key to becoming 'good neighbours'. Alongside the need for more spaces for meaningful multi-species encounters, how and where we tell and experience the stories of our more-than-human enmeshments then become vital components of imagining and enacting a more hopeful Capitalocene.
| Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) |
|---|---|
| Note: | A pamphlet 'Between Sky & Earth' (60pp) accompanies the print thesis held in the library. Supporting data is available via Bath Spa University's data repository, BathSPAdata, via the link given under 'related URLs' below. |
| Keywords: | English common land, multi-species relationships, auto-ethnography, environmental humanities, qualitative research |
| Divisions: | School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities |
| Related URLs: | |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Jan 2026 14:14 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Jan 2026 14:33 |
| URN: | https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/17506 |
 |
Request a change to this item or report an issue |
 |
Update item (repository staff only) |
Tools
Tools
