EVDS symposium explores foundations

By Alex Frazer-Harrison

Long before “interdisciplinary” became a cornerstone of post-secondary education, it was already an active philosophy at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Environmental Design (EVDS).

To mark both the 40th anniversary of the university and its own 35th birthday, the faculty will be hosting its first-ever symposium—on the benefits of combining expertise among disciplines.

“ Part of what makes the faculty unique is that we are non-departmentalized—we span the spectrum from science to art,” says Dean Brian Sinclair, presidential advisor on design. “We thought it would be a good idea to hold a symposium that is reflective in terms of looking at our foundations.”

EVDS researchers may, for example, conduct scientific studies that relate to impact assessment or wildlife management. “But we also have artists, philosophers and designers in our faculty,” he says.
The symposium, scheduled for October 19–21, received support from the Special Projects Fund.

“We feel our faculty celebrates a holistic view that brings together science, art and the humanities,” says Sinclair. “This symposium will be a way for us to get outside experts, people from within the faculty, emeriti and the student population asking questions. How does this work? What have been the benefits? And how do we move forward? ”

Before the so-called “triple bottom line” (economic, environmental and social) approach was in vogue, it was already being used in EVDS. “But to this, we also add cultural, spiritual, political and other key aspects. It’s an innovative, holistic and potent approach to problem solving,” he says.
The event will also be a “friend-raising” opportunity for the faculty, says Sinclair. “Our faculty is very much community-oriented. We are out in the community working with partners; this is one of our strategies for outreach. ”

The three-day symposium will incorporate the annual EVDS Dean’s Advisory Council community reception and the EVDS Alumni Advisory Council awards event, both launched in 2005.
The symposium will be entitled “Art, Science and Environmental Design: The Principles, Pursuit and Practice of Interdisciplinarity and its Relevance to Higher Education. ”

“ This is an opportunity for us to examine how far we have come and send the message out about how this model proves effective and how it can be successfully applied to other disciplines,” Sinclair says.

For more information, call 220-6601 or visit www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/faculties/EV.