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Module content:

Any notion of sustainable global prosperity and planetary wellbeing is unavoidably bound up with the question of how natural prosperity should be systematically researched and measured. Many have argued that behind the spectacular failures of dominant economic forms lies a spectacular failure to 'measure what matters'. This module therefore draws directly on IGP’s research on natural prosperity metrics and indices to introduce students to
new methods and measures for prosperity. The module critically examines current approaches to measuring and valuing nature, before moving to explore more diverse methods for the effective research and measurement of natural prosperity. Students will be introduced to the range of quantitative and qualitative methods for research and analysis used at the IGP including Citizen Social Science and participatory methods, Earth Observation and GIS, systems dynamics modelling, scenario modelling, interviews, focus groups, individual and household surveys, Nvivo, and SPSS. The module will draw on our developing Natural Prosperity Index and metrics work. The module will also cover critical epistemology and research design (mixed methods, data triangulation, grounded theory, critical discourse analysis, questions of objectivity and subjectivity etc), as well as training in innovative semantic technologies. The overall aim will be to re-think how measurement of human-environment relations are configured and to democratise such measurement through research co-production. The module provides a foundation of key research skills to be deployed in the Term 2 and Dissertation modules.

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Illustrative Module Outline:

The module is taught through ten classes and five seminars. Students are expected to complete the set key readings prior to the commencement of the teaching session and to come ready to discuss key topics and issues arising from the reading. Students are also expected to undertake a series of independent group ‘Active Learning’ tasks and to present the results in class. Students may also be asked to submit basic non-assessed material for
discussion in class. In addition to the standard module classes, additional Skills and Resilience sessions are provided as an essential component of the course. These sessions cover primary study and dissemination skills relevant to the module and future careers.

List of Illustrative Classes:
• IGP’s Approach to Measuring Human and Natural Prosperity
• Theories of Knowledge for Prosperity and Wellbeing Research
• Research Design and Ethics
• Qualitative Research for Natural Prosperity
• Citizen Science and Decolonising Research
• Approaches to Natural Capital and Ecosystem Modelling
• Quantitative Research 1: Wellbeing Indicators and Social Statistics
• Quantitative Research 2: Earth Observation and Systems Modelling
• Ground Truthing and Time Sequencing: Mapping Changes in Space and Time
• From Research to Co-designing Change