In this episode of the Meliora Podcast Student Research Symposium we are joined by Samuel Inkster (MSci Environmental Science) to discuss his Independent Research Project 'A knowledge, attitude and practices (K-A-P) study assessing social perceptions to plastic pollution in Can Tho, Vietnam', which is part of the Sustainability & Resilience Institute (University of Southampton) and Mekong Institute (Can Tho University) research collaboration.

Humankind has become so attached to plastic, that it is now impossible to live a life without it. Plastic is everywhere, causing a multitude of health, environmental, and visual problems. However, few studies look at why we are continuing to and increasingly use plastic. This episode explores our perception of plastic disposal, in the most heavily impacted region, southeast Asia. It adopts the Knowledge, Attitude, Practices (KAP) study framework to comprehensively assess the perception of plastic pollution in Can Tho, Vietnam. Different perspectives were incorporated through a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, using both surveys and interviews. Results show that the residents in Can Tho have a strong knowledge of, and attitude to preventing plastic pollution, and that more knowledge leads to significantly higher attitude. Male respondents had significantly higher attitudes. The novelty of this study is that it is the first to apply the KAP method on the public in Can Tho, and amongst the minority of studies to look at people and plastic as interlinked. This study provides valuable insight, highlighting the gap between attitude and practice, suggesting solutions such as government soft power e.g. through incentives to give ease in adopting sustainable behaviour and behaviour centred education. It is through these suggestions that the capability, motivation and opportunity to adopt pro-environmental behaviour arise, and this will be critical in helping Vietnam transition away from plastic.

Episode guest: Samuel Inkster, MSci Environmental Science

Episode host: Prof Simon Kemp

Episode producer and editor: Mya Harvey

The Meliora Podcast Student Research Symposium is part of the 2026 Student Takeover Season where we celebrate the fantastic sustainability research work of our Undergraduate Students.