Growing the social role of Botanic Gardens research

Growing the social role of Botanic Gardens - research and evaluation Jocelyn Dodd Research Centre for Museums and Galleries (RCMG) School of Museum Studies University of Leicester

How socially relevant are Botanic Gardens?

Research methods • Desk research • Questionnaires • Case studies • Interviews • Think Tank

7 key areas 1. Broadening audiences (audience development)

7 key areas 1. Broadening audiences (audience development) 2. Enhancing relevance to communities (meeting the needs of communities)

7 key areas 1. Broadening audiences (audience development) 2. Enhancing relevance to communities (meeting the needs of communities) 3. Education

7 key areas 1. Broadening audiences (audience development) 2. Enhancing relevance to communities (meeting the needs of communities) 3. Education 4. Conducting research which has socio-economic impact locally and globally

7 key areas 1. Broadening audiences (audience development) 2. Enhancing relevance to communities (meeting the needs of communities) 3. Education 4. Conducting research which has socio-economic impact locally and globally 5. Contributing to public (and political) debates on the environment

7 key areas 1. Broadening audiences (audience development) 2. Enhancing relevance to communities (meeting the needs of communities) 3. Education 4. Conducting research which has socio-economic impact locally and globally 5. Contributing to public (and political) debates on the environment 6. Modelling sustainable behaviour

7 key areas 1. Broadening audiences (audience development) 2. Enhancing relevance to communities (meeting the needs of communities) 3. Education 4. Conducting research which has socio-economic impact locally and globally 5. Contributing to public (and political) debates on the environment 6. Modelling sustainable behaviour 7. Actively changing attitudes and behaviour

Future developments

1. Redefining their purpose – values, mission, vision • why we exist? • • • what we believe in? who we do it for? what we want to achieve?

1. Redefining their purpose – values, mission, vision 2. A lengthy process of change across the whole organisation

1. Redefining their purpose – values, mission, vision 2. A lengthy process of change across the whole organisation 3. Botanic gardens are uniquely placed to address climate change but they aren’t taking a visible and active role

1. Redefining their purpose – values, mission, vision 2. A lengthy process of change across the whole organisation 3. Botanic gardens are uniquely placed to address climate change but they aren’t taking a visible and active role 4. Botanic gardens should combine their social and environmental roles

1. Redefining their purpose – values, mission, vision 2. A lengthy process of change across the whole organisation 3. Botanic gardens are uniquely placed to address climate change but they aren’t taking a visible and active role 4. Botanic gardens should combine their social and environmental roles 5. Communicating, evidencing and advocating

1. Redefining their purpose – values, mission, vision 2. A lengthy process of change across the whole organisation 3. Botanic gardens are uniquely placed to address climate change but they aren’t taking a visible and active role 4. Botanic gardens should combine their social and environmental roles 5. Communicating, evidencing and advocating 6. Finding a third way between the model of the traditional botanic garden and the Eden Project

Evidence from growing the social role 2011 Winterbourne project

What drives organisations to be socially purposeful?

Why is this work so important? • • Social and environmental justice Inclusion / exclusion Making gardens meaningful in 21 stc Human Rights

“Everyone has the right to freely participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts, and share in scientific advancement and its benefits”. UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948

What social impact can botanic gardens have? Sense of belonging spiritual benefits Green spaces Good food & healthy living Learning in a real world environment Connecting with prior experiences Social spaces Incorporating climate change

The importance of green spaces ‘You feel different, …. like different feelings……there are not so many people around and you feel calm’ Damion aged 12 Shorefields College, Toxteth, grew up on a farm in Poland

Learning Impact Learning is a process of active engagement with experience. It is what people do when they want to make sense of the world. It may involve the development or deepening of skills, knowledge, understanding, awareness, values, ideas and feelings, or an increase in the capacity to reflect. Effective learning leads to change, development and the desire to learn more. MLA Museums, Archives and Libraries Council Inspiring Learning for All framework

Generic Learning Outcomes knowledge & understanding Horticultural methods Environmental responsibility – compost etc Access to expertise skills Collaborate, negotiate, take responsibility Gardening organically Community project skills – language, cult barriers attitudes & values More accepting of difference Change view of what gardens might be enjoyment, inspiration, creativity Very high – catalyst to learning Impact on self esteem action, behaviour, progression Maturing experience Visit other gardens Grow vegetables organically Local radio / unifying community project

5. What social impact can botanic gardens have? Sense of belonging spiritual benefits Green spaces Good food & healthy living Learning in a real world environment Connecting with prior experiences Social spaces Incorporating climate change

Organisational issues- what inhibits botanic gardens from becoming socially purposeful? • Perception that Botanic Gardens are already doing this work • Financial concerns conflict with developing a social role • Motivation • A ‘clear values-led leadership committed to engagement’

What inhibits botanic gardens becoming socially purposeful? • Perception that Botanic Gardens are already doing this work • Financial concerns conflict with developing a social role • Motivation • A ‘clear values-led leadership committed to engagement’

Skills and organisational working: what is needed? • • Project management Team working Skills or experience? Focus on the achievable: keeping it simple

Action and development 1. Creating a vision for the sector - leadership 2. Embedded in contemporary issues 3. Rooted in wider national policy context • • health and well- being of communities youth 4. Climate change as a social issue 5. Underpin work with community development model • working in partnership 6. Social role must impact across the whole organisation