Symposium: Bio(graphical) Diversity
The Bio(graphical) Diversity Symposium will explore how diversity, equity, and inclusion are the most important drivers for change in the field, in education, in our communities, and for the world. We will discuss the diverse life experiences, career paths, and work of landscape architects. Invited speakers will talk about how they navigated the field guided by diverse personal backgrounds and ambitions, how they engage with diverse communities and public interests, and how diversity, equity, and inclusion should be fostered in work and the profession.
Participating speakers and panelists:
- C. L. Bohannon, Virginia Tech
- Anita Bueno, Landscape Architect, Cazenovia, New York
- José Castillo-Pilcol, Studio TLA, Toronto, Canada
- Barbara Deutsch, CEO, Landscape Architecture Foundation
- Maisie Hughes, Design Virtue, Washington, DC
- Diane Jones Allen, University of Texas at Arlington; DesignJones, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Laura Lawson, Rutgers University
- Kelley Lemon, University of California, Berkeley
- Marc Miller, Penn State
- Paola Aguirre Serrano, Borderless Studio, Chicago, Illinois
- Anne Whiston Spirn, MIT
The symposium is organized around three themed panels:
STORIES: Personal background plays a role in the development of one’s career. This panel focuses on personal stories and how we can learn from experiences and challenges in order to create a wider understanding and appreciation of difference within academic settings and the profession.
WORK: Landscape architects engage diverse communities in the process of design and planning. This panel explores the opportunities and challenges of activist design today and discusses tools that support diversity in design.
ACTIONS: Actionable strategies and initiatives are needed to promote radical diversity, inclusion, and equity in educational and work environments. This panel discusses a vision for and pathways toward a more diverse profession and what that would enable us to do in the world.