Nigel Gooding
About the researcher
As a South West England-based entrepreneur with a thriving business in an area renowned for its natural beauty, my research explores the intricate balance of fostering business development in these unique environments, with a particular focus on Cornwall. My personal connection to Cornwall, where my grandmother was born in the workhouse at St Austell, has profoundly shaped my lifelong interest in the region.
My professional expertise spans innovation and technology, including Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Digital Technology. I hold a Master of Laws in Information Rights Law and Practice and serve as an external examiner for Master of Laws and MBA programs. Additionally, I am a Fellow of both the Chartered Management Institute and the British Computer Society (Institute of IT) and hold a University Postgraduate Teaching Qualification from Falmouth University.
Outside of my academic and professional pursuits, I enjoy exploring the natural beauty of the South West with my dog and actively contribute to the local community as a rugby referee in Devon and Cornwall.
Research interests
My professional and personal experiences uniquely align with my research interests in the intersection of business development and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage in areas of outstanding beauty, such as Cornwall. My entrepreneurial background provides firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities of innovating and fostering growth in these environments. My expertise in technology, including Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, informs my exploration of how digital solutions can support sustainable development and enhance resilience in local economies. Additionally, my legal background and academic roles deepen my understanding of regulatory frameworks and governance, which are critical for balancing economic growth with environmental and social stewardship. This holistic perspective allows me to approach my research with a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics shaping such regions, underpinned by a personal connection to Cornwall’s heritage.
PhD abstract
Thesis title
Social Capital and the Governance of Natural Beauty: Exploring Bonding, Bridging and Linking Relationships for Sustainable Business in the Cornwall National Landscape
Abstract
How do bonding, bridging and linking social capital influence the interpretation of natural beauty within governance processes in the Cornwall National Landscape? How do bonding, bridging and linking social capital influence whether governance enables or constrains sustainable business within the Cornwall National Landscape? What recommendations for good governance practice can be developed to strengthen the effective use of bonding, bridging and linking social capital and maximise opportunities for sustainable business within the Cornwall National Landscape?
Research overview and context:
This multi-disciplinary research explores how the people sustaining the Cornwall National Landscape (formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) interpret natural beauty, the extent to which social capital enables or constrains sustainable business, and what recommendations could improve them. I am particularly interested in exploring any differences between residents and non-residents, and in hearing from a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers, commoners, land managers, business owners, planners, environmental practitioners, and representatives of community groups and local organisations. I also welcome people from elsewhere in the UK and internationally. If you have experience with protected landscapes, landscape designation or collaborative governance, your perspective can help show what is distinctive about Cornwall and what applies more widely. Participants do not need to be experts or hold a particular view; experiences of collaboration, disagreement, frustration, innovation or exclusion are all valuable. I am especially keen to hear from people who feel their knowledge is often overlooked.
Previous studies of National Landscapes and protected landscapes more broadly have covered a wide range of topics. However, the role of sustainable business in these areas, and the barriers and accelerators that influence it, remains largely under-explored. This research focuses on the Cornwall National Landscape, which comprises 12 sections, covers 27% of the county and contributes significantly to its economy. It uses a mixed-methods approach to capture the full range of mechanisms at play and allow greater qualitative depth, combining five methods (questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, documentary analysis, participant observation and social network mapping) and triangulating the findings. The research draws on the Community Capitals Framework (CCF) alongside theories of power and participation to build an integrated analysis of social capital in protected landscapes, addressing conceptual gaps in environmental governance and community participation. It will provide both conceptual clarification and practical insights for the Cornwall National Landscape and comparable protected landscapes across the UK and internationally.
Qualifications
| Year | Qualification | Awarding body |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education | Falmouth University |
| 2021 | Master of Laws | Northumbria University |
| 2020 | Postgraduate Diploma in Law | Northumbria University |
| 2019 | Postgraduate Certificate in Data Protection and Information Governance | Northumbria University |
| 1995 | Postgraduate Certificate in Management | Bolton University |
Honours & Awards
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute |
| 2022 | Fellow of the Institute of IT (British Computer Society) |
| 2018 | Fellow of the European Policy Risk Institute |