Cohort 2026 PhD Project
About The Project
This PhD project will build on preliminary work to contribute to the growing academic research literature on nature-based solutions (NbS) whilst offering specificity and novelty around leaf gathering, both as a catalyst for community action and as an opportunity for sustainable resource use in the circular economy.
It is well accepted that engagement with nature provides human health and wellbeing benefits. Research shows that socio-economic deprivation is closely linked to poor health outcomes across all age groups (Kirkbride et al., 2024; Kivimäki et al., 2020; Remes, 2019). By leveraging nature-based solutions working with Nottingham’s unique resources – abundant trees and existing community networks – this project will explore the potential of a low cost model for improving public health, social resilience, and potential uses of fallen leaves as a new sustainable material. This PhD project brings together 3 specialisms to address important local issues of wellbeing and sustainability: Green prescribing to improve health and wellbeing, urban green spaces as a social asset, and materials science approaches to sustainable resources.
Preliminary scoping work, carried out as part of a 2025 Collaboratory Research Placement project, has confirmed a generally supportive attitude amongst the Nottingham public towards community leaf gathering activities, whilst also revealing that knowledge gaps exist around how diverse communities perceive leaf collection and volunteering, and also around how community based leaf gathering could support local institutional priorities (e.g. schools, waste management services, or green space/grounds maintenance). This raises important questions about how nature-based benefits could be maximised in areas like Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (Khan 2025).
Social Needs: The Nottingham Green Social Prescribing pilot, led by NCVS, connects residents with nature-based activities to improve mental health and wellbeing. As one of seven national test sites, it addresses rising mental health challenges, especially post-COVID, by reducing stress, anxiety, and isolation. It leverages Nottingham’s urban green spaces and community networks to offer inclusive, low-cost interventions. The green social prescribing programme addresses knowledge gaps, which exist around 1) awareness and accessibility, 2) integration into health systems, 3) data and evaluation, 4) capacity of green providers, and 5) equity and inclusion.
Environmental Needs: Nottingham’s extensive tree canopy produces a tremendous amount of leaf waste annually – some of this inevitably poses a hazard/nuisance, or ends up in municipal waste management. Knowledge gaps exist around the amount of leaf waste that is generated, collected and treated in Nottingham currently. Localised, sustainable, community uses of fallen leaves would increase environmental sustainability and support Nottingham’s carbon neutrality 2028 goals.
This project has been co-created with and is supported by researchers from University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and partners at the Nottingham Citizens Voluntary Service.
Project Aims
The PhD aims to deliver a new, low cost, inclusive activity that enhances Nottingham’s volunteering provision around Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for community wellbeing and environmental sustainability. The PhD project will:
Collaborate with NCVS and other local institutions to identify applications for leaf gathering through volunteering to further social and environmental goals
- Liaise with community groups to understand their operation and needs
2. Set up a pilot leaf gathering group
3. Showcase the pilot group to other community groups in Nottingham(shire) and beyond
4. Investigate how leaf gathering activities can be tailored to the needs of diverse groups in varied socio-cultural contexts
5. Develop methods of measuring the success and impact of leaf gathering and sustainable uses of collected leaves
6. Propose mechanisms to assess the long-term viability of leaf collection and utilisation
7. Develop a knowledge transfer toolkit for setting up community leaf gathering activities and associated tasks
Project Team
- PhD Candidate: Maddie Wythe
- Lead Academic Supervisor: Dr Katy Voisey (University of Nottingham)
- Academic Co-Supervisor: Dr Jenni Cauvain (Nottingham Trent University)
- Community Supervisor: Jules Selebin (Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service)