SLU highlights critical perspectives on environmental psychology at international conference

Several of SLU's researchers in environmental psychology and landscape architecture gave presentations – one of them was Amanda Gabriel, coordinator at SLU Urban Futures, who organised and led a double symposium on the theme of Conceptualisations and Methodologies in Environmental Psychology. 

In the session, she presented current research results from a bibliometric collaboration project and a global interview study with leading researchers in the field of place-environment and environmental psychology.

"The symposium highlighted the need to integrate qualitative methods, knowledge traditions and a critical and international perspective in order to highlight issues that are often marginalised in academic discourse," says Amanda Gabriel, continuing: 

"By problematising research focus, visibility and knowledge perspectives, the symposium created a basis for continued dialogue on how interdisciplinary research needs to be strengthened for work on sustainable urban development. This is something SLU has been working on for many years, including through SLU Urban Futures." 

The symposium was followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Amanda Gabriel. 

"It was an open, reflective conversation about the development of environmental psychology, methodological tensions and its role in social change. The discussion was characterised by respectful disagreement, with participants daring to raise disagreements about the direction of the field, its identity and what should be prioritised going forward," says Amanda Gabriel. 

The audience contributed nearly 40 questions via Mentimeter, resulting in a lively discussion in which the researchers reflected on both theoretical tensions and applied implications.

"The perspectives raised in the panel, particularly regarding methodological openness, the visibility of marginalised voices and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, offer valuable insights for SLU Urban Futures' work on developing knowledge and practice for sustainable, equitable and place-aware urban transformations," says Amanda Gabriel.

Need to increase visibility

A clear challenge was the fragmentation of the field – both theoretically and methodologically – and its lack of visibility in cross-sectoral policy forums. 

Some of the solutions discussed were to:

• open up to more epistemological traditions, such as phenomenology and sociocultural perspectives
• working with strategic communication and practice-oriented collaborations
• developing common quality criteria without losing the methodological breadth and openness of the field

"The discussion reflected several of the core issues we are working on at SLU Urban Futures: How do we create knowledge that can be used in the transformation of our cities? How do we ensure that transdisciplinary research, for example in environmental psychology, reaches urban planners and has a concrete impact? There was agreement that the interaction between theory and practice is crucial for us to be able to shape the sustainable and inclusive urban environments of the future", concludes Amanda Gabriel.