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Tourism
Estimating the impact of climate change on snow cover in the Cairngorms (News)
A report commissioned by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and ClimateXChange, Scotland’s centre of expertise connecting climate change research and policy, explores potential changes to snow cover caused by clim ... Read more
December 2, 2019
UnderStory - Storying woodland use, management and expansion in the Cairngorms (Project)
A digital story map will be created called the UnderStory and will provide an engaging, enduring account of perspectives on woodland use, management and expansion in the early 21st Century from the Cairngorms.It will be created ou ... Read more
Too many deer in Scotland? Hutton expertise contributes to deer management inquiry (News)
Deer are iconic species in Scotland and provide a key ecological resource for the tourism, hunting and food industries. However, at high densities their impact can be detrimental to some habitats. Are the right policies and incent ... Read more
January 19, 2017
Tay Estuary Forum 2016 Conference: Seascape, a coast of contrasts (Event)
As east-central Scotland's Local Coastal Partnership, the Tay Estuary Forum puts together a conference each year to reflect current issues within the coastal and marine environments at both a regional and national scale, ... Read more
HUNTing for Sustainability (Project)
Project aim The overall goal of the project ‘Hunting for Sustainability’ was to assess the social, cultural, economic and ecological functions and impacts of hunting across a broad range of contexts in Europe and Afr ... Read more
Current research interests
I am currently providing assistance on PRO AKIS. PRO AKIS is an EU-funded research project which is investigating agricultural advisory services within the EU. I have also worked on the Farm Path project which aimed to identify and assess future transition pathways towards regional sustainability of agriculture in Europe. My work also reflects my interest in rural tourism and agritourism. Other areas of interest which I hope to develop further in the future are the sustainability of crofting and remote communities more generally, and the use of renewable energy within rural communities.
I have experience in qualitative methods, namely; interviews, documentary analysis, ethnographic work and participant observation, and use of NVivo. I also have some experience with quantitative methods such as survey work.
I have presented work at a series of seminars and conferences including a seminar on the sustainability of tourism on Eigg for SAMS (Scottish Association for Marine Science), the IFSA conference in Berlin and RGS-IBG in London in 2014. I have also presented work such as case study results at a number of PRO AKIS seminars.
I am a part of the local organising committee for the upcoming ESRS conference to be held in Aberdeen in August 2015 and a contributor to the SEGS blog.
Past research
Bibliography
- Prager, K.; Creaney, R. (2017) Achieving on-farm practice change through facilitated group learning: evaluating the effectiveness of monitor farms and discussion groups., Journal of Rural Studies, 56, 1-11.
- Prager, K.; Creaney, R.; Lorenzo-Arribas, A. (2017) Criteria for a system level evaluation of farm advisory services., Land Use Policy, 61, 86-98.
- Sutherland, L-A.; Costa Madureira, L.; Dirimanova, V.; Bogusz, M.; Kania, J.; Vinohradnik, K.; Creaney, C.; Duckett, D.; Koehnen, T.; Knierim, K. (2017) New knowledge networks of small-scale farmers in Europe’s periphery., Land Use Policy, 63, 428-439.
- Teedon, P.; Currie, M.; Helwig, K.; Creaney, R. (2017) Engaging communities around private water supplies., Project Report for CREW, CRW2014_12.
- Creaney, R.; Niewiamdomski, P. (2016) Tourism and sustainable development on the Isle of Eigg, Scotland., Scottish Geographical Journal, 132, 210-233.
- Copus, A.; Hopkins, J.; Creaney, R. (2016) The transaction footprints of Scottish food and drink SMEs., European Countryside, 8, 227-249.
- Faccioli, M.; Creaney, R.; Novo, P.; Byg, A.; Martens, K. (2016) Unpacking the notion of public goods from agriculture and forestry in Aberdeenshire and mapping their availability: A workshop report., Report on First Local Stakeholder Workshop, Aberdeenshire, February 2016.
- Duckett, D.; Creaney, R.; Sutherland, L.A. (2015) Crofters and their advisory services: an analysis of crofters and their advisory services on Skye, Harris and Lewis., Report produced for ProAKIS European Project, 2 November 2015. The James Hutton Institute, 12pp.
- Creaney, R.; McKee, A.; Prager, K. (2015) Designing, implementing and maintaining (rural) innovation networks to enhance farmers' ability to innovate in cooperation with other rural actors. Monitor farms in Scotland., Report for AKIS on the Ground: Focusing Knowledge Flow Systems (WP4) of the PRO AKIS Project, February 2015.
- Prager, K.; Creaney, R. (2017) Achieving on-farm practice change through facilitated group learning: evaluating the effectiveness of monitor farms and discussion groups., Journal of Rural Studies, 56, 1-11.
- Prager, K.; Creaney, R.; Lorenzo-Arribas, A. (2017) Criteria for a system level evaluation of farm advisory services., Land Use Policy, 61, 86-98.
- Sutherland, L-A.; Costa Madureira, L.; Dirimanova, V.; Bogusz, M.; Kania, J.; Vinohradnik, K.; Creaney, C.; Duckett, D.; Koehnen, T.; Knierim, K. (2017) New knowledge networks of small-scale farmers in Europe’s periphery., Land Use Policy, 63, 428-439.
- Creaney, R.; Niewiamdomski, P. (2016) Tourism and sustainable development on the Isle of Eigg, Scotland., Scottish Geographical Journal, 132, 210-233.
- Copus, A.; Hopkins, J.; Creaney, R. (2016) The transaction footprints of Scottish food and drink SMEs., European Countryside, 8, 227-249.
- Prager, K.; Creaney, R.; Lorenzo-Arribas, A. (2017) Criteria for a system level evaluation of farm advisory services., Land Use Policy, 61, 86-98.
- Sutherland, L-A.; Costa Madureira, L.; Dirimanova, V.; Bogusz, M.; Kania, J.; Vinohradnik, K.; Creaney, C.; Duckett, D.; Koehnen, T.; Knierim, K. (2017) New knowledge networks of small-scale farmers in Europe’s periphery., Land Use Policy, 63, 428-439.
- Creaney, R. (2014) Eigg: The challenges of pursuing economic, environmental and socio-cultural sustainability simultaneously through in-bound tourism., RGS-IBG Royal Geographical Society Conference, London, 26-29 August 2014.
- Teedon, P.; Currie, M.; Helwig, K.; Creaney, R. (2017) Engaging communities around private water supplies., Project Report for CREW, CRW2014_12.
- Faccioli, M.; Creaney, R.; Novo, P.; Byg, A.; Martens, K. (2016) Unpacking the notion of public goods from agriculture and forestry in Aberdeenshire and mapping their availability: A workshop report., Report on First Local Stakeholder Workshop, Aberdeenshire, February 2016.
- Duckett, D.; Creaney, R.; Sutherland, L.A. (2015) Crofters and their advisory services: an analysis of crofters and their advisory services on Skye, Harris and Lewis., Report produced for ProAKIS European Project, 2 November 2015. The James Hutton Institute, 12pp.
- Creaney, R.; McKee, A.; Prager, K. (2015) Designing, implementing and maintaining (rural) innovation networks to enhance farmers' ability to innovate in cooperation with other rural actors. Monitor farms in Scotland., Report for AKIS on the Ground: Focusing Knowledge Flow Systems (WP4) of the PRO AKIS Project, February 2015.
I am a qualitative social scientist with a background in rural topics, primarily focussing on aspects of agriculture, tourism, and networking in rural areas. I completed my PhD ‘Developing and applying a framework for agritourism’ at The Macaulay Institute and University of Aberdeen in 2011.
Current research interests
Demonstration activities on commercial farms
Investigation of on-farm demonstration activities through case studies across Europe to look at governance, motivations, practices and application of lessons learned at individual and community levels. This research is being undertaken as part of EU H2020 PLAID (Peer-to-peer Learning: Accessing Innovation through Demonstration) (2017-2019) and RESAS agricultural systems and land management theme (2016-2021).
New entrants to farming
Developing a network to support new entrants to agriculture and identification and dissemination of new business and entry models and innovation in the sector. This work is being conducted under EU H2020 Newbie (New Entrant network: Business models for Innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience in European agriculture) (2018-2021).
Landscape-scale agri-environmental approaches
Investigation of agri-environmental approaches from a social perspective to explore how they may be applied to achieve multiple benefits and protect natural assets. This work is being conducted as part of RESAS integrated and sustainable management of natural assets theme (2016-2021).
Past research
Collaboration in machinery rings
This project explored machinery rings as a form of agricultural cooperative, which have emerged and evolved into large collaborative institutions since they were introduced in Scotland in the late 1980s. This formed part of a wider investigation of transitions in agriculture being undertaken in the EU FP7 FarmPath (Farming Transitions: Pathways towards regional sustainability of agriculture in Europe) project (2011-2014) and RESAS Environmental Change: Land Use research theme (2011-2016).
Developing social capital and reciprocity in agritourism communities
This project explored various aspects of social capital development and capital conversion towards understanding the role of social learning groups in supporting small businesses and the people behind them. This formed part of the RESAS Environmental Change: Economic Adaptation research theme (2011-2016).
Developing and applying a framework for agritourism
My PhD project first sought to enhance conceptual understanding of agritourism through development of a theoretical typology, which I then applied in Scotland to explore what drives different types of agritourism and how that can help to understand the public and private benefits generated. This project was funded by The Macaulay Development Trust (2008-2011).
Exploring economic and legislative aspects of deer management
This project included investigation of collaborative practices, venison production, and legislation to better understand the drivers and barriers affecting deer management in the UK. This research was undertaken as part of the RELU Collaborative frameworks in land management project (2006-2009).
Bibliography
- Kuhfuss, L.; Piras, S.; Flanigan, S.; Hawes, C.; Begg, G. (2019) Pro-environmental practices among farmers at a landscape scale: why and how? An interdisciplinary review of the literature., Report for RESAS (143b, deliverable D6), Interdisciplinary Review of Existing Landscape Scale Interventions Delivering multiple Benefits, 37pp.
- Sutherland, L-A.; Flanigan, S.; Brinks, H.; Kleshcheva, E.; Micheloni, C. (2018) WP3 Synthesis Report with supra-regional summaries., PLAID, EU Deliverable Report 3.4, Month 19, 32pp.
- Flanigan, S.; Sutherland, L-A. (2016) Buying access to social capital? From collaboration to service provision in an agricultural co-operative., Sociologia Ruralis, 56, 471-490.
- Flanigan, S.; Blackstock, K.L.; Hunter, C. (2015) Generating public and private benefits through understanding what drives different types of agritourism., Journal of Rural Studies, 41, 129-141.
- Schiller, S.; Gonzalez, C.; Flanigan, S. (2015) More than just a factor in transition processes? The role of collaboration in agriculture., In: Sutherland, L-A., Darnhofer, I., Wilson G. A. & Zagata, L. (eds.). Transition Pathways towards Sustainability in Agriculture: Case Studies from Europe. CABI, Wallingford, Chapter 6, pp83-96.
- Flanigan, S.; Blackstock, K.L.; Hunter, C. (2014) Agritourism from the perspective of providers and visitors: a typology-based investigation., Tourism Management, 40, 394-405.
- Flanigan, S.; Matthews, K.B. (2013) Planning to succeed agritourism (2011-2014). Mid-programme evaluation., Report to Scottish Enterprise, June 2013.
- Matthews, K.B.; Artz, R.R.E.; Birch, A.N.E.; Blackstock, K.L.; Brooker, R.; Brown, I.; Cummins, R.; Flanigan, S.; Hallet, P.; Irvine, R.J.; Kenyon, W.; Pakeman, R.J., Prager, K.; Slee, B.; Squire, G.; Stutter, M.; Sutherland, L.; Thomson, K.; Towers, W.; Vinten, A.J.A. (2012) Developing agri-environmental measures for the next Scottish Rural Development Programme: a summary of relevant research findings from the James Hutton Institute., Report to the Scottish Government, Natural Resources Division, SRDP Technical Working Group (Agri-Environment), 11pp, 25 June 2012.
- Flanigan, S.; Holstead, K.L. (2012) Results of focus group discussions to explore members' perceptions of machinery rings in relation to change, collaboration and sustainability., Report to Borders Machinery Ring (BMR): Summary of findings for machinery ring stakeholders.
- Flanigan, S.; Holstead, K.L. (2012) Results of focus group discussions to explore members' perceptions of machinery rings in relation to change, collaboration and sustainability, Report to Ringlink: Summary of findings for machinery ring stakeholders.
- Flanigan, S. (2012) Planning to succeed agritourism: Participants circumstances and expectations in year 1., Report to Scottish Enterprise, The Collection Limited and Planning to Succeed Group.
- MacMillan, D.C.; Phillip, S. (2010) Can economic incentives resolve conservation conflict: The case of wild deer management and habitat conservation in the Scottish Highlands., Human Ecology, 38, 485-493.
- Phillip, S.; Hunter, C.; Blackstock, K.L. (2010) A typology for defining agritourism., Tourism Management, 31, 754-758.
- Phillip, S.; Dandy, N.; Gill, R.; MacMillan, D.C. (2009) Is legislation a barrier to the sustainable management of game species? A case study of wild deer in Britain., Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 52, 993-1012.
- Phillip, S.; MacMillan, D.C. (2008) Car park charging in the Cairngorms National Park., Scottish Geographical Journal, 122, 204-222.
- MacMillan, D.C.; Phillip, S. (2008) Consumptive and non-consumptive values of wild mammals in Britain., Mammal Review, 38, 189-204.
- Flanigan, S.; Sutherland, L-A. (2016) Buying access to social capital? From collaboration to service provision in an agricultural co-operative., Sociologia Ruralis, 56, 471-490.
- Flanigan, S.; Blackstock, K.L.; Hunter, C. (2015) Generating public and private benefits through understanding what drives different types of agritourism., Journal of Rural Studies, 41, 129-141.
- Flanigan, S.; Blackstock, K.L.; Hunter, C. (2014) Agritourism from the perspective of providers and visitors: a typology-based investigation., Tourism Management, 40, 394-405.
- MacMillan, D.C.; Phillip, S. (2010) Can economic incentives resolve conservation conflict: The case of wild deer management and habitat conservation in the Scottish Highlands., Human Ecology, 38, 485-493.
- Phillip, S.; Hunter, C.; Blackstock, K.L. (2010) A typology for defining agritourism., Tourism Management, 31, 754-758.
- Phillip, S.; Dandy, N.; Gill, R.; MacMillan, D.C. (2009) Is legislation a barrier to the sustainable management of game species? A case study of wild deer in Britain., Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 52, 993-1012.
- Phillip, S.; MacMillan, D.C. (2008) Car park charging in the Cairngorms National Park., Scottish Geographical Journal, 122, 204-222.
- MacMillan, D.C.; Phillip, S. (2008) Consumptive and non-consumptive values of wild mammals in Britain., Mammal Review, 38, 189-204.
- Flanigan, S.; Sutherland, L-A. (2016) Buying access to social capital? From collaboration to service provision in an agricultural co-operative., Sociologia Ruralis, 56, 471-490.
- Flanigan, S.; Matthews, K.B. (2015) Reciprocity in an agritourism community of practice., European Society for Rural Sociology Congress (WG15: Social Capital, learning Processes and social Innovation in Rural Areas), Aberdeen, 19 August 2015.
- Flanigan, S. (2015) Machinery rings as 'trusted intermediaries' in farming., National Centre for Universities and Business Blog.
- Flanigan, S.; Blackstock, K.L.; Hunter, C. (2015) Generating public and private benefits through understanding what drives different types of agritourism., Journal of Rural Studies, 41, 129-141.
- Flanigan, S.; Blackstock, K.L.; Hunter, C. (2014) Agritourism from the perspective of providers and visitors: a typology-based investigation., Tourism Management, 40, 394-405.
- Schiller, S.; Gonzalez, C.; Flanigan, S. (2015) More than just a factor in transition processes? The role of collaboration in agriculture., In: Sutherland, L-A., Darnhofer, I., Wilson G. A. & Zagata, L. (eds.). Transition Pathways towards Sustainability in Agriculture: Case Studies from Europe. CABI, Wallingford, Chapter 6, pp83-96.
- Kuhfuss, L.; Piras, S.; Flanigan, S.; Hawes, C.; Begg, G. (2019) Pro-environmental practices among farmers at a landscape scale: why and how? An interdisciplinary review of the literature., Report for RESAS (143b, deliverable D6), Interdisciplinary Review of Existing Landscape Scale Interventions Delivering multiple Benefits, 37pp.
- Sutherland, L-A.; Flanigan, S.; Brinks, H.; Kleshcheva, E.; Micheloni, C. (2018) WP3 Synthesis Report with supra-regional summaries., PLAID, EU Deliverable Report 3.4, Month 19, 32pp.
- Flanigan, S.; Matthews, K.B. (2013) Planning to succeed agritourism (2011-2014). Mid-programme evaluation., Report to Scottish Enterprise, June 2013.
- Matthews, K.B.; Artz, R.R.E.; Birch, A.N.E.; Blackstock, K.L.; Brooker, R.; Brown, I.; Cummins, R.; Flanigan, S.; Hallet, P.; Irvine, R.J.; Kenyon, W.; Pakeman, R.J., Prager, K.; Slee, B.; Squire, G.; Stutter, M.; Sutherland, L.; Thomson, K.; Towers, W.; Vinten, A.J.A. (2012) Developing agri-environmental measures for the next Scottish Rural Development Programme: a summary of relevant research findings from the James Hutton Institute., Report to the Scottish Government, Natural Resources Division, SRDP Technical Working Group (Agri-Environment), 11pp, 25 June 2012.
- Flanigan, S.; Holstead, K.L. (2012) Results of focus group discussions to explore members' perceptions of machinery rings in relation to change, collaboration and sustainability., Report to Borders Machinery Ring (BMR): Summary of findings for machinery ring stakeholders.
- Flanigan, S.; Holstead, K.L. (2012) Results of focus group discussions to explore members' perceptions of machinery rings in relation to change, collaboration and sustainability, Report to Ringlink: Summary of findings for machinery ring stakeholders.
- Flanigan, S. (2012) Planning to succeed agritourism: Participants circumstances and expectations in year 1., Report to Scottish Enterprise, The Collection Limited and Planning to Succeed Group.
