Pedersen, RL, Robinson, ZP and Surman, E (2019) Understanding Transience and Participation in University Student-Led Food Gardens. Sustainability, 11 (10). ISSN 2071-1050

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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.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via MDPI at http://doi.org/10.3390/su11102788 - please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.
Uncontrolled Keywords: turnover, education for sustainability, higher education, students' union, community garden, volunteering, causal loop diagram, temporary organisation, organisational amnesia
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
H Social Sciences > HF Commerce
S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Natural Sciences > School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Symplectic
Date Deposited: 01 Jul 2019 14:01
Last Modified: 01 Jul 2019 14:02
URI: https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/id/eprint/6544

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