School of GeoSciences researcher awarded seed funding to explore Scotland's share and repair economy

Dr Lucy Wishart from the School of GeoSciences has received seed funding from Scotland Beyond Net Zero (SBNZ) to support a project exploring Scotland's growing network of Share and Repair Organisations (SROs).

Edinburgh Tool Library window — Image credit: Circular Communities Scotland & Edinburgh Tool Library

SROs are community organisations such as tool libraries and repair cafes, which allow people to borrow, share or fix objects rather than buy new.

With more than 100 SROs now operating across Scotland, these organisations play a significant role in reducing consumption, cutting carbon emissions, and generating social value in local communities. SROs work contributes to several Scottish Government policies including Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 and the Community Wealth Building Act. However, many SROs face mounting practical challenges, including rising costs, limited space, and heavy reliance on volunteer support.

Working in partnership with circular education organisation Ostrero and local SRO, Edinburgh Library of Things, the research team will investigate how SROs manage the infrastructure and operational realities behind their day-to-day community economic activities.

Rather than presenting findings in a conventional report, the team will develop a scenario-based learning game to help policymakers and the public engage with the operational realities SROs face, supporting a transition towards more just and sustainable futures in Scotland.

Dr Wishart will lead the research alongside Dr Shawn Bodden from the School of Social and Political Science, with the joint research team also involving researchers Dr Franziska Paul and Dr Timothy Peacock from the University of Glasgow.

Image of tools available via the Edinburgh Tool Library — Image credit: Circular Communities Scotland & Edinburgh Tool Library

By supporting circular consumption in local economies, SROs already play a key role in contributing towards the aims of Scottish Government legislation on Circular Economy and Community Wealth Building. This interdisciplinary project will not only allow us to identify how these existing important organisations can be better supported by policy but by sharing our findings through a game-based learning tool, co-created with our industry partners, we hope to equip others to establish SROs in their own communities.

Scotland Beyond Net Zero (SBNZ) Funding

The project is one of 14 studies to receive funding through the SBNZ Seed Fund this year, with three University of Edinburgh-led projects receiving funding.

Now in its third year, the fund has increased its investment and is supporting more projects across more of Scotland's universities than ever before, with initiatives addressing wider priorities such as climate justice, biodiversity and nature recovery, alongside the transition to net zero.

Scotland Beyond Net Zero (SBNZ) Funding

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