Panel:
Annabel Fitzgerald (Coastal Programmes Officer, An Taisce),
Cathy Fitzgerald (Artist and PhD Scholar, NCAD),
Tamara Hochstrasser (UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science),
Conall O’Connor (Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government), Méadhbh O’Connor (Artist, UCD Art In Science)

 More Information (or download the PDF here):

UCD Art In Science is delighted to invite you to Pathways Towards Sustainability. A Collective Conversation, a panel discussion that maps the ways in which individuals working in different fields are driving and implementing change towards a more environmentally sustainable future.

Rapid developments in earth system sciences over the 20th and 21st centuries have advanced our knowledge of the complex and interconnected nature of earth’s living and non-living systems. This has lead to a better understanding of our inextricable link to and dependence on highly complex biosystems, and of the impact of human activity on these. The collective goal-setting of sustainability is our expression of concern that humans ultimately will suffer the consequences of our impact on our fellow species and on the environment upon which they depend.

The issue of sustainability spans science, politics, policy development, society, culture, industry and many other areas of human interest. In light of this, for this event representatives from science, environmental policy development, arts practice and ENGOs will come together to share their perspectives and experiences on how they are attending, in their own unique ways, to this central topic. The intention is to capture a picture of the work being carried out by these different agents independently of each other, in order to achieve similar goals in preserving a functioning biosphere for the enjoyment of future generations.

UCD Art in Science links research and education across disciplines, through the Artists in Residence programme, educational modules and public engagement programme of talks, exhibitions and performances. It provides contexts where individuals working in vastly different fields within science and the arts can exchange knowledge, embark on joint projects and enrich each other’s experience of their own respective disciplines. This event aims to adhere to that principle in the hope of generating cross-disciplinary discussion and the possibility of future continued interaction amongst all in attendance. We aim to reinforce the benefits and importance of communication and partnerships across disciplines, of which UCD Art In Science is a model. The event will follow a format of brief presentations by each panelist, followed by a lively and chaired discussion with audience participation.

This public conversation is part of a rich programme of events associated with Welcome Disturbances – an exhibition of work by the UCD Science: Artists In Residence. Since 2012, the artists in residence have engaged with scientists in neuroscience, cognitive science, marine biology, plant biology, geophysics, paleobotany, advanced optical imaging, spectroscopy and astronomy.

These events aim to illuminate, from multiple perspectives, the interdependencies of science, society, economy, culture and environment. Contributors will include academics, artists and researchers from UCD, Trinity College, IADT, University of Durham and NCAD, as well as representatives from Dept.of Environment, National Botanical gardens, An Taisce, Coiscéim and Shimmer Technologies.

The UCD Art in Science programme is already recognised as an important development in the discourse of the arts in Ireland and the exhibition Welcome Disturbances is a significant event on the cultural calendar – see Gemma Tipton’s Irish Times article.

The programme of events and exhibition continue until April 11th 2015.

For more information on Welcome Disturbances and the programme of events please visit the UCD Art in Science website.