Dr James Bonner

Knowledge Exchange Fellow

Physical Activity and Health

Contact

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Personal statement

I am a Research and Knowledge Exchange Fellow working across a number of inter and transdisciplinary projects and collaborations. These include related to water, active mobility, place and greenspace, drawing on methodologies developed in my doctoral research on social, cultural and ecological values of water.

I am particularly interested in the intersection of social and ecological issues in the projects I am involved in, the philosophical and methodological questions and implications of those issues, and increasingly the application of arts-based and mobile methods and practices in my work.

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Professional Activities

University of Edinburgh
Visiting researcher
8/7/2026
BMX Taster Sessions: Come along, ride a BMX and have some pizza!
Curator
26/6/2026
Postcarding and presenting: gethering views and sharing work on water at the Royal Highland Show
Presenter
20/6/2026
Strathclyde Water Walk: Men's Health led walk
Speaker
18/6/2026
The Festival of the New European Bauhaus 2026
Participant
9/6/2026
A multi-day hydro-cycle for conference and conversations: London to the Lowlands
Curator
27/5/2026

More professional activities

Projects

Hydro cycles and tree routes: mobile methodologies to engage with place
Bonner, James (Principal Investigator)
Intertwining the researcher's three broad research and knowledge exchange pursuits embarked on in their post doctoral work- namely active mobility, trees and water- this overarching personal project gathers the seeds for the development of a singular fellowship application or other similar funding bid (e.g. UKRI AHRC or ESRC).

Its attention will orientate towards the development and application of creative and novel mobile methods applying active mobility modalities- cycling, walking and running- applied in autoethnographic, and other more collaborative practices, by the researcher. It will look to interweave these practices of active mobility with other forms of sustainable mobility and public transport, and open up, with a critical spirit, the imaginaries and possibilities of movement through these forms.

Building on recent and past projects, it will through the researcher's own experiences, their collaborations with others in various fields (from academia to the arts), as well as members of the public through the lens of journeys to, and encounters with, water and treescapes, open up creative, philosophical embodied responses to sustainability related questions, challenges and practices. It will seek to (co)conceptualise, (co)develop, (co)undertake, (co)document and (co)communicate these experiences in a multiplicity of outputs, with a particular focus on arts based approaches and representations.

Herein it draws on the researcher's long term interdisciplinary research across the natural and social sciences, as well as the the arts and humanities- coupled with recent transdisciplinary engagements in knowledge exchange- towards a broader 'undisciplinarity'. As such a focus on research and work that orientate towards specific socio-ecological problems or entities, and drawing on disciplinary knowledge as a secondary focus.
01-Jan-2025 - 31-Jan-2026
Urban Retrofit and Active Mobility Living Lab: Developing research and innovation opportunities in the community
Joshi, Manish (Principal Investigator) Bonner, James (Co-investigator) Morrison, Rob (Project Lead) Carballo, Mia (Researcher)
The purpose of embedding a researcher with Agile City is to better understand the organisation’s approach, methodology and theory of change with regards to developing a ‘living lab’, in the urban context that supports retrofit, sustainability and active mobility. This living lab can potentially be a catalyst for innovation, innovative practices and accelerating the journey towards net zero for community buildings and spaces across the UK.
01-Jan-2025 - 30-Jan-2026
Capillary Fringe
Tabas, Andrew (Co-investigator) Robertson, Donald (Co-investigator) Young, Laura (Co-investigator) cousin, Hubert (Co-investigator) Bonner, James (Co-investigator) Johnson, Brady (Co-investigator) Bennet, Bridget (Co-investigator) Alejandre, Julze (Co-investigator) Orci-Fernandex, Luisa (Co-investigator)
Water is a defining feature of Scotland, integral to its landscapes, economy, and cultural identity. Scotland’s vision to become a 'Hydro Nation' highlights water as a strategic resource deeply intertwined with social and cultural meanings. Water plays an important role across sectors including tourism, agriculture, renewable energy, public health, and environmental stewardship; however, its sustainable availability faces increasing pressures from climate change, growing demand, and complex long-term management challenges. Addressing these multifaceted challenges demands an inclusive approach that engages communities, industries, and policymakers across Scottish society. Understanding societal perceptions, values, and interactions with water in all its forms is therefore essential for realising the Hydro Nation ambition and ensuring resilient water management into the future.

This research project brings together a diverse, interdisciplinary team of researchers from across Scottish Universities' and academic disciplines around the core research interest of 'water'.
01-Jan-2025 - 31-Jan-2025
Supporting Cycling and Society 2025 in Glasgow
Bonner, James (Principal Investigator) Harrington, Deirdre (Principal Investigator) O'Hare, Karen (Researcher) Carballo, Mia (Researcher) Shepherd, Mia (Researcher)
Working with main host and organiser, Glasgow Caledonian University, providing significant support and input to the the planning, organisation, running and future development of the Cycling and Society 2025 symposium between 2-5th September 2025 in Glasgow.

Emerging from contact fostered though other collaborative projects and links, including Every Tree Tells a Story, initial links and contributions from Dr James Bonner with symposium organiser grew to incorporate wiser support from the Active Mobility Hub at University of Strathclyde.

With significant roles in various members of the Active Mobility Hub including session chairing, research presentation, attendee recruitment, marketing and communications, event support. Furthermore roles in developing and leading 'side' events, including organised walks and cycles for attendees and social activities
20-Jan-2025 - 31-Jan-2025
Fringe events at Cycling & Society Conference at GCU
Bonner, James (Principal Investigator)
Planning and organising of a number of fringe events, including organising a group walk and cycle, at Cycling & Society symposium hosted at Glasgow Caledonian University in September 2025. 
20-Jan-2025 - 07-Jan-2025
Water Wheels Wellbeing Festival
Bonner, James (Principal Investigator) Harrington, Deirdre (Principal Investigator)
Supporting the community festival in Stranraer that seeks to promote and inform practices in health and wellbeing dimension of water recreation and engagement and active mobility, particularly cycling. Organisational support as well as advising on the design and undertaking a range of monitoring and evaluation exercises adopting various qualitative and quantitative approaches
28-Jan-2025 - 28-Jan-2026

More projects

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Contact

Dr James Bonner
Knowledge Exchange Fellow
Physical Activity and Health

Email: james.bonner@strath.ac.uk
Tel: Unlisted