Research into the socio-economic changes occuring in Partick

Kirsteen Paton, Department of Urban Studies, University of Glasgow is undertaking this 'very timely and important research project' sponsored by West Glasgow Against Poverty (Westgap) and Oxfam UK Poverty Programme, and would welcome participation by Westenders.

Whilst much is known of Partick's past, shipbuilding and working life, this research aims to document contemporary working class lives. Like many other areas Partick is becoming increasingly socially mixed with new modern housing developments and the decline of traditional industries. Kirsteen is interested in how people live, how things have changed and how residents see their area and their community.

She is also interested in urban policy processes and the consequences of regeneration and wants to hear what residents think about both changes and policies. There is very little research on people living in socially mixed areas and the impacts ? positive or negative - which regeneration policies have on the community when put into practice.

The best way to do this is speak to the community themselves and spend time in Partick to see the issues first hand. Kirsteen is working with many community organizations at the moment and has spoken to lots different people. The response has been great but she is keen to speak to more people to gain as wide a range of views as possible.

She says: 'Participating is painless, it just involves speaking to me for an hour or so over a cup of tea and telling me a bit about yourself.'
'The more people who get involved, the more representative and insightful the research findings will be.'

Kirsteen Paton can be contacted at:
Tel. 0141 330 3088
07904 521 682
[email protected]