Model making is enjoyed by people of all ages and from all over the world. It has a little something for everyone, ranging from well-known hobbies such as Lego to less popular but equally just as exciting hobbies such as ice sculpting and balloon modelling. But why do people make models, and how do they choose which hobby?

Our MSc student Kieron Kow is investigating this area, asking:

• What are the similarities and differences between Lego and a hobby such as clay sculpting?
• What do these similarities and differences tell us about the types of people who may choose one model making hobby over another?
• And are there more general aspects of a person’s cognitive or other that makes them more likely to pick up and enjoy any model making hobby?

If you are interested in this research, whether you make models or not, please do complete our survey: https://bit.ly/4cJxnj2. Anyone aged 18 or over can take part, it should take you between 15 to 20 minutes, and is completely anonymous. Help us further our understanding of model making as a hobby by taking part. Thank you!

Image credits:

• Lego banner – Ypiyush22, CC BY-SA 4.0
• Lego kit – https://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_t_in_dc/4765644259
• Sand castle – https://pxhere.com/en/photo/610233