HEATHER MILES

I am a PhD researcher in human geography at the University of Manchester (final year). My primary research focus is practical processes of cross-discipline working. Drawing on inter/transdisciplinarity studies, Science and Technology Studies and critical cartography, my PhD is an ethnographic exploration of ‘Multi-method Mapping’ as an approach to transdisciplinary working. The study has been carried out in the context of nature recovery research.

In Multi-method Mapping, mapping is conceptualised in terms of five broad mapping practices, georeferenced, words-focused, creative, sensory and visceral. The approach aims to enable collaboration between project members with different backgrounds by providing a shared activity in which contrasting research methods and forms of knowledge can co-exist.

My PhD and other work also explores the theme of environmental research practice through axiology - how different forms of knowledge are valued - and the processuality of research – here focusing on unfolding research practice as a source of knowledge generation. I have published on ideas in transdisciplinarity, axiology, processuality and creative methods.