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Understanding Transience and Participation in University Student-Led Food Gardens

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  • Rebecca Laycock Pedersen

    (Department of Strategic Sustainable Development, Blekinge Institute of Technology, 371 41 Karlskrona, Sweden
    School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK)

  • Zoe P. Robinson

    (School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK)

  • Emma Surman

    (Keele Management School, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca Laycock Pedersen & Zoe P. Robinson & Emma Surman, 2019. "Understanding Transience and Participation in University Student-Led Food Gardens," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-26, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:10:p:2788-:d:231479
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bas Spierings & Ilse Van Liempt & Emiel Maliepaard, 2018. "Ownership and Membership: Practices and Experiences of Neighbourhood Residents in the Wijsgeren Community Garden in Amsterdam," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 109(5), pages 677-684, December.
    2. Ibert, Oliver, 2004. "Projects and firms as discordant complements: organisational learning in the Munich software ecology," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(10), pages 1529-1546, December.
    3. Efrat Eizenberg, 2012. "The Changing Meaning of Community Space: Two Models of NGO Management of Community Gardens in New York City," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(1), pages 106-120, January.
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    1. Pauline Marsh & Suzanne Mallick & Emily Flies & Penelope Jones & Sue Pearson & Iain Koolhof & Jason Byrne & Dave Kendal, 2020. "Trust, Connection and Equity: Can Understanding Context Help to Establish Successful Campus Community Gardens?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-25, October.

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