Environmental Studies Conference 2012 a Huge Success
Once again, this conference has succeeded in showcasing the breadth, depth and quality of student research across the environmental studies (ENVI) undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
The School’s 2nd annual Environmental Studies Conference took place on the evening of Friday 21st September and all day Saturday 22nd September.
Once again, the conference has succeeded in showcasing the breadth, depth and quality of student research across the environmental studies (ENVI) undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
This event was initiated last year, thanks to some creative vision and hard work by Sophie Bond and former colleague Mike Gavin, with strong support from Ralph Chapman, director of the Environmental Studies Programme, our Faculty Dean David Bibby, Head of School Mike Hannah and funding through a VUW Learning and Teaching Grant. That first undertaking proved to be a resounding success and has laid the foundation and set the bar for future years. This year, the conference lived up to – and exceeded – those expectations and I would especially like to pay tribute to Sascha Feary, who co-ordinated the programme, supported by Marcela Palomino-Schalscha and Sophie Bond.
What’s involved? Well, the conference is quite novel in that it involves all students within environmental studies from 200-level up to postgraduate level (ca 250 students). Groups of students in ENVI/GEOG 214 prepared posters which were on display in Cotton Street over the two days. Postgraduate ENVI students and undergraduate students taking ENVI/GEOG314 are all required to present a research seminar on a relevant current topic and these are organised into six concurrent sessions that run throughout the conference programme.
The guiding principle is to exploit and parade the vast reservoir of diverse skills, knowledge, and energy that exists across the ENVI programme so that students learn by doing and observing. Further energy and engagement are generated by mixing the year groups: maa te tuakana e tootika ai te teina; maa te teina e tootika ai te tuakana. (let the younger brother be guided by the older brother and the older brother be guided by the younger). As a result, this is a great opportunity for students to fully engage in a conference environment, including networking with fellow students and staff and develop some core skills in the process.
Students feel a sense of ‘ownership’ of the conference fostered by their exclusive role as speakers and chairing sessions. Although a small number of staff are hovering, tasked with assessing the seminars, it is striking how effectively the students in the audience engage in questions and discussion.