We are very excited to be taking part in the Theory Forum 09 at Sheffield University.  This year's theme involves unpacking the term 'Ecology'.  We will be running a 2 day workshop at the Theory Forum, examining Ecology in the Arctic.

The Theme of Forum is posited as the following by the organizers:

In architecture, ECOLOGY focuses on the impact of the built form on the environment and society. It recognises the importance of theoretical research as a foundation for development in everything from sustainable design to community development. theory forum 09 addresses the notion of ECOLOGY and architecture. How is ECOLOGY translated from other fields of research into architecture?

Concepts of ECOLOGY vary between disciplines. Proposing ECOLOGY as a central theme around which to develop a common language, can a system of sharing and collaboration between the diverse fields of research and professions be created? Research and theory should be recognised by professions of the built environment and consequently society. Is the sharing of knowledge in such a way the answer to the progression of research in academia?

theory forum 09 wants to explore how architecture engages with the concept of ECOLOGY. The forum aims to collate various methodologies and operations conducted by related disciplines, as well as divergent fields of research. The aim for the theory forum 09: ECOLOGY will be to become a testing ground through which a common language of ECOLOGY can be formulated.

If you are in the area, the schedule of the Workshop and Lectures is as follows:

Friday November 13th, 2009:

9:30 "Ecologies: Limitations and possibilities" Irenee Scalbert, SAUL, Ireland

9:50 "The Potential of the Empry House" Catharina Gabreilsson, LSE

10:10 "Ecology as Lived" Kush Patel, University of Michigan

11:20 "Ethics vs. Aesthetics" Steve Parnell, University of Sheffield

11:40 "Pictorial Ecology" Nigel Dunnett, University of Sheffiel

12:00 "Urban Homeostasis: Counterbalancing Urban Disruptions" Ruxandra Berinde, TU of Cluj-Napoca, Romania

13:45-14:45 Keynote: "Territorial Ecologies" Neeraj Bhatia & Maya Przybylski, InfraNetLab, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo

Saturday November 14th, 2009

10:20 "Design Ecologies: Ecologies of Access" Lisa Tilder, OSU

10:40 "States of Change: Transformative Shanghai" Rosalea Monacella, RMIT University

11:00 "Education for Sustainable Architecture: Qualified Architects with Insufficient Knowledge?" Bing Chen, University of Sheffield

12:10 "Urban Space and Models of Sustainability" Mick O'Kelly, National College of Art and Design, Dublin

12:30 "Ecology and the Art of Sustainable Living" David Haley, Manchester Metropolitan University

12:50 "Critical Ecologies" Jon Goodbun, University of Westminster, WAG Architecture

We will be be posting updates and work from the Theory Forum on the blog, so stay tuned….