Residents of Shetland support study on sustainable island populations

Shetland residents have supported a new research project looking at ways to help make the islands' population sustainable.

Households took part in a study investigating changing population dynamics and the role policy and place-based interventions can play to help create and maintain healthy and balanced populations in Shetland and other Scottish island communities.

The project is led by Marcus Craigie, a PhD student based at the University of Aberdeen, supervised by academics in the Department of Geography and Environment at the School of Geosciences and The James Hutton Institute. Marcus’ research is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.

Marcus, who grew up in Orkney, said:

“I am delighted by the support shown by local communities during fieldwork in August and September and with the response rates to surveys distributed across Unst, Bressay, Burra and Trondra, and Walls and Sandness.

“It is vitally important that the challenges and opportunities associated with retaining existing residents and attracting new and returning residents - for example, transport, housing and jobs - are considered in a way that is geographically nuanced and to do this, we need people to have their say.”

Over 450 surveys have already been returned but, from discussions in the community, Marcus says he is aware others were filled out but may not have been returned or were left in places the restrictions of his role prevent him from accessing.

“From chatting to local residents, I know that a number left their surveys ready to be collected inside their front doors but I wasn’t able to enter someone’s home and collect in this way without prior permission from the homeowner,” he added.

“The survey will help increase awareness of the Shetland context in Scotland-wide discussions about island population change and support policy recommendations for national and local government, so we want the best representation possible. I am hugely grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their views, and it would be a real shame not to collect any responses which either missed the initial deadline for collection or were left for collection in this way.”

If anyone has already received an invitation to take part in the survey and has a completed response that was not collected it may be returned by 5 November 2024 to: Marcus Craigie, Doctoral Candidate, Geography and Environment, School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, St Mary’s, Elphinstone Road, Aberdeen, AB24 3UF.

An opportunity to complete and submit a response online at https://bit.ly/ShetlandSurvey using the participant ID on the 'invitation to participate' also remains available until 5 November 2024.

Image Credit -Lerwick, Shetland. Crown copyright. Photographer - Barrie Williams.