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Psychology of Conflict, Risk and Safety
Psychology of Conflict, Risk and Safety
UTFacultiesBMSDept HIBPCRSInformation for studentsInternshipsInternal internships"Ships 4 a Future" - The Psychology of Isolated Communities

"Ships 4 a Future" - The Psychology of Isolated Communities

ASSIGNMENT

The idea behind Ships for a Future is an international community living on a ship permanently sailing the ocean. The sea dwellers board a vessel, they stay for a shorter period of time (a few months) or longer (a year?). They can be students of various disciplines for an internship, scientists studying such communities or marine conditions, or something else altogether, (young) entrepreneurs, digital nomads, artists, adventurers, or simply people who want to “be away from it all”. After a while they may return to the mainland, an experience richer, with knowledge, insights, and new contacts.

Humanity could learn a great deal from such communities. A ship that sails on the ocean is isolated from the main land, requiring efficient use of all resources, closed food and product cycles, use of sustainable energy systems, etc. What technology is available, and what needs to be developed to ensure that energy, food and raw materials are used as efficiently as possible?

This necessity can therefore be a strong driver of innovation offering opportunities for the Dutch maritime sector and the energy sector, among other things. In addition: on land, there are many restrictive laws and regulations, which means that social and ecological problems cannot be adequately addressed. However, there is room for experimentation on the ocean.

Ships 4 a Future revolves around the question: would such a community be possible? This assignment requires you to contribute to answering this question from a psychological perspective. Specifically, you will be asked to create an overview of literature pertaining to questions, such as:

1.                   Which 'social spaces' (work, relaxation, greenery, sports, etc.) are necessary on a ship for a liveable community?

2.                   What is the importance of common values, and how do these develop?

3.                   To what extent does the number of members of the community (50 or 150 members?) and the composition (male, female, age, etc) ‘shape’ the social-psychological well-being and interaction of the group?

4.                   How should such a community be governed? What kind of leadership is desirable, how to ensure the continued commitment and influence of followers? How are rules developed, maintained and enforced? In addition: how does this community government relate to the authority of the captain of a ship?

5.                   How to guarantee social safety?

Please note that this list is not exhaustive; students are encouraged to come up with relevant topics themselves.

These (or other) questions may be answered by exploring literature available on other (isolated) communities. To name just a few potentially relevant communities that may have been studied in scientific literature:

·       (rural) energy communities

·       island populations

·       maritime crews

·       work teams on oil platforms

·       scientists in research stations on Antarctica

·       soldiers in outposts in enemy territories

·       personnel of embassies in hostile countries

·       miner communities

·       etc.

In addition, literature on future space communities might prove useful.

Students are encouraged to think about the research methodology. Besides literature, there may be other methods such as doing interviews, an online survey or conduct brainstorm sessions.

KEYWORDS

Isolation; community building; social dynamics.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ORGANIZATION

More than an idea, Ships 4 a Future is a discovery journey by Marcel van der Maal; he is fascinated by the question of whether it is possible to start communities on waves, and what it would take to make these communities viable. His interest stretches beyond the technological possibilities and restraints, and he realises that to make it work requires insight into the psychological phenomena and mechanisms at play in community building.

Marcel intends to write a book on this topic.

AVAILABILITY

Usually anytime. This internship is open to 1-2 students.

INTERESTED?

Please contact the internship coordinator Miriam Oostinga (m.s.d.oostinga@utwente.nl). 

LITERATURE

www.s4af.nl

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