Understanding transience and participation in university student-led food gardens

Rebecca Laycock Pedersen*, Zoe P. Robinson, Emma Surman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
150 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In an increasingly mobile world, transience is becoming the norm. Sustainable community food initiatives, therefore, must organise to withstand high turnover of volunteers. Using a case study of the United Kingdom's National Union of Students' food growing scheme in universities, this paper aims to map the causes and effects of short-term, irregular, and low participation using a causal loop diagram to understand how to mitigate their negative impacts and improve participation. Data was gathered through interviews, workshops, photovoice, a fishbowl discussion, and a reflective diary. We found three amplifying feedback loops increasing short-term, irregular and low participation, their causes, and their impacts. These feedback loops were precariously buffered by a continuous in-flow of new potential participants each academic year. We also found that the stakeholders of these gardens conceptualised time akin to both temporary and permanent organisations, and these differing conceptualisations were a source of tension. Furthermore, although 'organisational amnesia' was a problem, the gardens were still learningful spaces. We recommend both upstream and downstream solutions are implemented to buffer the impacts of transience and suggest that university and students' union staff could play a crucial and subtle supporting role.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2788
Number of pages26
JournalSustainability
Volume11
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2019

Keywords

  • Causal loop diagram
  • Community garden
  • Education for sustainability
  • Higher education
  • Organisational amnesia
  • Students' union
  • Temporary organisation
  • Turnover
  • Volunteering

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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