Dr. Felix Zajitschek

Evolutionary Biologist | Husband & Dad | Formby Resident An evidence-led approach, driven by a deep connection to the place and a commitment to build a sustainable future together.

Felix Zajitschek

Scientist, Citizen, Formby Local

I grew up in Germany, worked on evolutionary questions in labs in Europe, Australia, and the US, and earned my PhD along the way. My work examines how organisms adapt to stressors like dietary shifts, and how these responses change with age. To figure out how genetic limits influence the evolution of key traits for survival and reproduction, I combine controlled laboratory experiments with studies in the wild. For this I use a diverse range of species, from fruit flies, beetles, and fish in the lab to crickets and lizards in the wild (including common lizards that can be found in the Formby dunes). Check out more on that here.

My family and I have settled in Formby because of its cohesive town feeling, the high-quality schools, its easy access to Liverpool, and its incredible coastal ecosystems. I believe in a future for Formby that manages its success while protecting these qualities.

The way to get there is through evidence-based discussions and decisions, valuing our natural surroundings and building a real sense of connection to the place. Formby can become an even healthier, safer, more sustainable place that supports all residents in the here and now, and our kids and grandkids in the future.

Thoughts about Formby

A reasoned approach to shared goals.

1. Infrastructure, Streets & Safety

I think in order to keep Formby thriving in the future, its village character (with central community hubs, easily reachable for everybody, including families and older Formby-siders) should be preserved to strengthen the cohesion as a community. This is where local networked 'Safe Streets' initiatives can make a real difference. It’s about improving safety for children to walk to school, for commuters to cycle to our stations, and for older residents to navigate the town with confidence and ease. While the many schools are an advantage for Formby parents, the sheer number of school runs is straining our infrastructure. Establishing a coherent, town-wide school network would allow us to solve these shared challenges together rather than in isolation. There is also the "summer gridlock" that shows us that we are blessed with a very in-demand beach. Community-driven positive solutions, for example by prioritizing pedestrian and cycling links for local residents, are key.

2. Investing in Youth

We often tell our teenagers to get off their phones and stop staying in their rooms, yet we provide very few places for them to actually go. In Formby, there are many fantastic activities that are highly structured, and come with a price tag and often with an age requirement. Simply having safe, free spaces to meet and talk is often overlooked. There are parks and the beach, of course, but these are not always suitable or accessible for all young people, especially during bad weather, busy times, or in the dark. While there is no quick fix, we must acknowledge that neglecting this need is not an option. We are encouraged by recent government signals regarding the re-establishment of youth centres, but the best solutions will surely come from talking with our youth, not just about them. Whether it’s dedicated community spaces or more inclusive access to existing facilities, we need to find ways to not push them toward the very screens we complain they use too much.

3. Coastal areas & Visitors

Formby should not become a victim of its own beauty. I don't think a lot of residents would want large-scale "tourist hubs" that invite more traffic. The National Trust is doing a fantastic job as a custodian of Formby's natural beauty, and I am sure waste collection (especially discarded dog poo bags), safe access (especially for pedestrians on main access routes), and parking issues, can be fixed together with the National Trust and the Council. Formby is in the lucky position to have excellent train connections. It seems it needs a few but very focussed tweaks that the community has to agree upon in a collaborative process and to stand up for together.

4. Accountability, Transparency & Collaboration

Decisions affecting a town should be driven by evidence and practical results, not ideology. Whether it's scrutinizing Green Belt proposals or new infrastructure, the goal isn't just to say "no," but to ask "how can we do this better?". While Formby’s population of over 20,000 lacks a decentralized governing body with the power it deserves, this should not lead to a sense of helplessness. This isn't about being NIMBY (NotInMyBackYard). It’s about opening dialogues. With residents, schools, developers, council working together, balanced solutions that involve thoughtful compromises are possible. Clear, regular communication is the foundation of this process, ensuring that the community is not just a bystander, but an active partner in shaping the town.

Civic innovation & Digital Tools

In addition to my biology research, I create practical digital tools and do social research aimed at strengthening local democracy and community ties. My work explores how we can improve communication to discuss and collaborate, from advocating for official broadcasting channels for every elected official to using community data to solve local infrastructure challenges and foster collaboration.

  • Formby Traffic Safety Survey 2024 – A data-driven initiative to map and analyze traffic safety concerns across Formby, and advocate for better infrastructure.
  • "Broadcasting for Democracy"– A social science preprint proposing verified information channels for elected officials to strengthen the link between representatives and the public.
  • Two complementary community prototypes under the Local Glow umbrella, as working proof-of-concept sites:
    • LocalGlow.uk – A digital map for cherishing the places and experiences people already love locally.
    • Act.LocalGlow.uk – A platform for gathering community-driven proposals to protect what’s valued, fix what’s broken, and build what’s missing locally.

  • Location

    Formby, Sefton
    United Kingdom

  • Social & Contact

    Reach out via X @zajitschek or Bluesky @zajitschek.bsky.social — happy to chat about research and local projects!"

  • Web

    felix.zajitschek.net
Philosophical Foundations of Community — the habermas edition —
"The spatial dimension of the life-world is determined by the 'fact of human plurality': every interaction unifies the multiple perspectives of perception and action of those present, who as individuals occupy an inconvertible standpoint."

The Vision: Power isn't something one person holds. It's something we create together. By respecting our "inconvertible standpoints", i.e. our unique life experiences, we can build a shared reality within and for a community.

Habermas, J., Social Research (1977), 44(1).
"The temporal dimension of the life-world is determined by the 'fact of human natality': the birth of every individual means the possibility of a new beginning; to act means to be able to seize the initiative and to do the unanticipated."

The Vision: We aren't bound by the way things have always been. Every new resident and every new generation brings the capacity to take the initiative and solve old problems in unanticipated ways. Every current resident has the same power.

Habermas, J., Social Research (1977), 44(1).
"In short, the new conflicts are not ignited by distribution problems but by questions having to do with the grammar of forms of life"

The Vision: Sustainable local politics is about more than just budgets. It is about protecting the "grammar of our forms of life". This means ensuring that our schools, our dunes, and our local connections are treated as the vital language of our community, rather than just data points for non-local institutions or for solely profit-driven entities.

Habermas, J., The Theory of Communicative Action (1987), 2.