U3AC Research Projects

Ongoing or proposed projects led by people who are seeking active collaborators

Some research projects are being planned, or are ongoing, for which the active collaboration of willing U3AC members is sought. The role of these collaborators would involve active participation in the project, rather than serving as “passive” volunteer subjects. In some cases, particular skills (e.g. statistics, database management, archives experience etc.) might prove useful. Follow the links below for such projects:

Care of Older people
Understanding the status of the Italian Sparrow in Crete

Care of Older People

Co-ordinator: Dick Wilson
Day and time: Wednesday 3.30 - 4.30 (see dates below)
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn, spring, summer.
This project began last year.  It plans to produce reports on three topics:
1. A study of care provision and models in other countries, within the UK and abroad.
2. An examination, perhaps in Cambridgeshire and one or two other places, of the current processes of assessment and setting up care packages for individuals.
3. The management, organisation and quality of care and an assessment of best practice.
Research will be carried out by individuals or small groups, who will report to the whole group at seminars of the whole group (see below).  The group welcomes both those with personal or professional knowledge, as well as others interested who would like to take part in the studies and to acquire some of the necessary skills.  Members may join either to carry out research or to contribute simply by attending seminars.  We hope to produce reports worthy of publication either locally or to a wider field.
New members may take part straight away.  Contact co-ordinator for details.
Note: Seminar dates - Sept 7th, Oct 26th, Dec 14th, Feb 22nd, April 18th, May 23rd, July 4th.

Understanding the status of the Italian Sparrow in Crete

Lead Investigator: Jeremy Clare
Status: Ongoing, seeking for field observers
The Italian Sparrow is regarded by most authorities as a hybrid between the House Sparrow Passer domesticus and the Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis, and is usually listed as a race of Passer domesticus. Topfer (2005) argues that it should be regarded as a race of Passer hispaniolensis. The basic assumption is that changes in agricultural practices 3600 years ago brought the commensal House Sparrow into contact with the Spanish Sparrow in Northern Italy leading to the hybridization, which stabilised as the Italian Sparrow. What is less clear is whether the sparrow found in Crete is also a hybrid Italian Sparrow or has a different origination and is a race of Passer domesticus with a rufous cap. The latter seems possible in that the “Cretan” Sparrow is much closer to the House Sparrow than the Italian Sparrow.
The first step will be a through review of the literature. This will be followed by a programme of collecting observations and photographs of all species and races of sparrows around the Mediterranean. This will be achieved by asking U3A members visiting various countries to make observations and take photographs. This will be followed up by specific field trips by the research team to collect more detailed observations and photographs.
If you think you know your sparrows try this test. If you are planning to visit to anywhere around the Mediterranean here is the briefing for taking photographs. Contact jn.clare@ntlworld.com

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