Options Synopsis

Submitted synopsis of options to my OU forum. Submitted 4 instead of one, with apology. Copy here:

Dear David

I am working towards the EDM MSc, but am still undecided re topic; I have reviewed a variety of options, but I’m not sure which will be the most appropriate. I hope you don’t my posting 4 options – Options 1 and 2 scored equal-top in my suitability analysis. Of course I would greatly appreciate advice, or reference to somebody to work through these options with.

Option 1
Key Question: How can FE Colleges effectively manage their environmental performance? Considers application of EMS to an FE College, examining the choices to be made, accreditation, costs and benefits, pressures (stakeholders), systematic vs systemic (messy) approaches. Consider accreditation schemes (ISO 14001, EMAS, BS 8555) and implementation schemes (Acorn). Propose modifications or enhancements to the Acorn model to better suit the FE Sector (or possibly FE / HE Sectors, depending on the availability of data). Examine how formal EMS both forces decision making, and inhibits it. I am implementing EMS at work; risk that MSC and implementation will not be synchronised.

Option 2
Key question: how to improve the application of 'risk assessment' in environmental management and health and safety. Builds on the ‘valuing and policy’ work of D831, and papers on risk (e.g. Adams). Reviews CBA approaches and considers ethics of pricing safety / environmental damage. Includes communication / consultation on risk – democratising decision making. Opportunities for more systemic processes (as opposed to the systematic normally espoused). I find this interesting, and I believe many risk assessments to produce sub-optimal results, but concerned whether too much research already done. Envisage wide use of questionnaires in research.


Option 3
Investigate the successful and unsuccessful features of travel plans in academic / FE college institutions. Opportunity to use current college / staff / students as guinea pigs. Travel plans involve decisions by many stakeholders. There appear to be some papers, and quite a lot of info from EAUC. Possible to experiment with views and monitoring changed behaviour. Relevant to all orgs considering or implementing travel plans - which nowadays is almost all orgs. It is unlikely that existing research fully covers multi-site FE colleges. Risk: my employer may not progress with its travel plan, limiting my room for experimentation.

Option 4
How to educate students in environmental (or sustainability) issues, empowering people to make decisions. Includes informal as well as formal education. Initially not too interesting idea, but potential to develop. Highly relevant as I prepare new courses and revamp old ones. This is highly likely to continue. As this influences decisions, it is relevant. Plenty of research, and there seem to be papers as well as text books (which appear to be more essays than research). Relevant throughout sector. Research competing methods.