Feeling Safe, Feeling Free: Navigating Risks in Crowds and Wild Spaces

You’re getting ready to go to and watch your favourite music artists – how much thought do you put into your safety and security? Does having your bag searched make you feel more safe or less? Are people at rock concerts more worried about terrorism than those watching classical music? These are just some of the questions being asked in this ground-breaking study investigating the impact of security measures, and how accurate our assumptions are of the likelihood of crime occurring. Join KT for an interactive exploration of these areas as she tries to answer the eternal question ‘Are we as safe as we think we are?’.

I am a blind researcher, studying for a PhD in the meaning of wilderness journeys for people with a visual impairment. I define wilderness journeys as continuous journeys in nature for a week or more, travelling from a to b rather than travelling out from a central base. I have completed many wilderness journeys including circumnavigating Britain by sea kayak and crossing the Australian outback, among others. I have also facilitated numerous journeys for people with additional needs. Although I had anecdotal evidence of the benefits of such journeys, there was little academic research. I am framing my research through occupational science and wish to understand the what, where, how and why of wilderness journeys undertaken by people with a visual impairment. Findings suggest there are different ways to be in wild spaces and people with a visual impairment may have specific benefits and challenges when accessing wild spaces.