Andrew (Andy) is a part-time PhD candidate at the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of Edinburgh. Andy’s doctoral research investigates community-building and activism in response to the environmental crisis, with a particular focus on gender and sexual minority groups in the UK. Andy’s research centralises participatory methods that displace researcher/participant power dynamics and his project integrates community-led research methods alongside oral interviews and DIY community archiving to explore community-building practices amongst case study LGBTQ+ groups.
Prior to beginning his PhD, Andy received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History of Art from the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London, and a Master of Science degree in Environment, Culture and Society from the School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh. Andy enjoys teaching and has taught on Geography and Landscape Architecture courses at the University of Edinburgh.
Alongside his doctoral studies, Andy works part-time for the major Scottish environmental forum, Scottish Environment LINK, and his advocacy role encourages Members of the Scottish Parliament to champion threatened and iconic species and habitats. Prior to this role, Andy worked in community partnership-building for Scotland’s leading youth homelessness charity. Andy has also previously worked and volunteered with different charities and NGOs that work to empower and support young people, vulnerable adults, and refugees.