Georgina Mitchell
PhD Researcher

Profile

Biography

Georgina is a PhD Researcher at SEI York and the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity at the University of York. Her research investigates urban biodiversity and society in the Anthropocene, exploring attitudes, behaviours and consequences of urban rewilding across global contexts.

Exemplified by wetland restoration projects, campaigns to reduce mowing, de-paving domestic gardens or allowing species to thrive on disused sites across cities, towns and suburbs, urban rewilding has become increasingly recognised for its ecological value to wildlife and humans alike; a vital response to rapid urbanisation and biodiversity loss. Yet recent media reports highlight its potential criticisms, such as perceived neighbourhood untidiness or neglect.

Using interdisciplinary methods including Participatory GIS mapping, Georgina’s research seeks to understand how contextual factors affect public reactions towards urban rewilding and more broadly, nature connectedness. A key aim is to produce fundamental insights useful for rewilding practitioners, policy makers and advocates worldwide.

Trained as an architect, Georgina has spent several years working across architectural practice, community engagement, interdisciplinary research and university teaching. Key roles include producing action plans and conducting geospatial data analysis for the Manchester Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods and Story of Stockport research teams at Manchester School of Architecture.