OPENspace is broadening its research focus beyond urban green and blue spaces, extending its work into a wider range of environments that shape health and wellbeing.

Researchers are currently collaborating on projects exploring the benefits of White Spaces (landscapes dominated by snow and ice), Skyscapes, and Seascapes, including submerged marine environments such as seagrass ecosystems. Together, these initiatives expand how we understand therapeutic and restorative landscapes, from ground level to underwater and even to the skies.

Several proposals are in development, including:

• An ESRC proposal examining the healing potential of recreational flying.
• An international proposal under the National Natural Science Foundation of China’s International Collaboration Fund for Creative Research Teams, exploring the health dimensions of white space.
• An NIHR Greenspace and Natural Environments proposal investigating urban vegetation and health
• An ESRC proposal focused on nature and chronic pain.

OPENspace researchers are also participating in the RethinkBlue COST Action, a European network advancing social science perspectives on the Blue Economy.

Together, this work reflects an important evolution in the Centre’s research, extending our environmental lens while continuing to explore how diverse landscapes offer nature-based solutions to enhancing human health and wellbeing.