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ABOUT THE PROJECT

My name is Dr Paula Arcari and I am a Research Fellow at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk. I am interested in routine activities that involve watching animals and how these shape our current and future relationships with nature.

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This three-year project will explore ‘going to' the zoo, the horse races, the 'dogs', and agricultural or county shows as practices in themselves – eg. what preparation is required, decisions around when to go, who goes, and what a typical trip involves.

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Due to the COVID-19 lockdown and cancellation of events, my research cannot proceed as planned for this first year. Instead, I am hoping to speak to people who visited these sites and/or attended events in the weeks leading up to the lockdown. I am conscious that this is a very difficult time for many people, and respect that participation in a research project of this kind may be impossible and/or a low priority. However, for some, it may offer a welcome distraction and momentary relief from larger concerns.

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If you are interested in participating, please complete and submit the participation form. You will receive further information about the project, and if you would still like to proceed, I will arrange a time to have a discussion online (via zoom or skype) or by phone. I am interested to hear your experience of ‘going to' these sites or events and the role of animals in that experience. I may also ask if you are willing to share photos of any recent visits.

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If you live in the UK and you visited one or more of these sites in the weeks prior to lockdown (January to March 2020) or during lockdown, I encourage you to complete the participation form. The project is open for recruitment between August 2020 and November 2020 and I will be starting to contact potential participants from mid-late September.


Numbers are limited. However, there will be a second phase of recruitment in 2021 and your expression of interest can be carried over to that year depending on eligibility.

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The study is completely confidential and anonymous. Real names of yourself, or anyone you refer to, will not be used in any reports or publications. This research is funded by the Leverhulme Trust and Edge Hill University, and has been approved by Edge Hill University's Research Ethics Committee.

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If you have any questions or comments about this research, please don't hesitate to contact me by phone or email:

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E: arcarip@edgehill.ac.uk

P: 01695 584 370*

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*Please note that I will not have access to phone messages while the lockdown remains in place.

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If you have any feedback, queries, concerns or complaints that you would like to share with someone independent from the study, you may contact Professor Kevern Verney, Chair of the Research Ethics Committee, Edge Hill University: verneyk@edgehill.ac.uk

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About the project: About
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