AALERT 4DM Creative Conversations – Scoping Workshop

This AALERT 4DM scoping workshop will explore case studies of arts-based research related to landscapes and the environment and consider barriers and opportunities for further integrating these approaches into decision making.

Following a brief review of current project outputs, the event will provide opportunities for discussion and constructive dialogues between diverse disciplinary perspectives and professional practices. It will bring artists (practitioners and researchers) into conversation with other academics and stakeholders (including economists, natural and social scientists, land managers and policymakers) to critically reflect on emerging interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary examples involving arts research from the UK and abroad.

The three sessions will explore the various roles (conceptual, practical, communicative) that arts, and artist-researchers, can play in a holistic landscape decision-making framework. The scoping workshop will provide a space for reflections to help set the agenda for the AALERT 4DM regional case studies workshops held later in the year.

Format and structure
The event will run from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm with a one-hour break between the sessions.

Session 1 – Artistic Approaches and Landscape Decisions: (1 hour 45 mins) 10.00 am start
• Introduction to the event and housekeeping (5mins)
• What has gone before and lessons learned (15mins)
• Three talks from invited speakers to reflect on experiences and explore the potential of engaging with arts-based research and their contribution to decision making (45mins)
• Break (10mins)
• Discussion and questions from the audience (30mins)

Session 2 – Keynotes: (1 hour 45 mins)
• Introduction (5 mins)
• 2 Keynotes + discussion (90 mins)
This session is framed around case examples of how arts-based research is used in decision making/community development.
• Conclusion (10mins)

Session 3 – Film discussion and critical reflection (1 hour 30 mins) 5:00 pm closure
• Introduction to the Film by Ewan Allinson (5 min)
• Show Re-peopling Film (30 mins)
• Discussion in breakout groups based on the film’s narrative about arts’ role in community empowerment. (20 mins)
• Feedback from breakout groups (15 mins)
• General discussion – moving the agenda forward (15 mins)
• Summing up and conclusions (5 mins)