I got asked to day by a law clinic for some ideas about what they could do to take part in this year's GDA on Water on November 18th. Here is how I replied.
"I would get a group of students together and brainstorm some ideas. Here in York we are arranging a kind of "carousel" event centred on the issue of flooding as York sits in a huge flood plain, and floods every year. This is going to get much worse in the next 50 years. Each student pair has an angle to investigate which includes hard engineering v soft engineerig, the impact of agricultural run off on the water supply, role of local government and state eg City Council and Environment Agency plus "how effective is legislation?" , nature based and small change solutions to flooding and "can we engineer our way out of this?". They are going to do their own research into this, track down some experts in the uni to help, then design posters or artefacts to display in the Law Building foyer over lunchtime and invite the expert to stand with them to engage students in a conversation about their aspect of the issue.
Other unis in the past have done 24 hour "researchathons", created sculptures, surveyed local understanding, written research reports, started local campaigns, challenged the uni, given evidence to local council meetings, produced videos, organised seminars and conferences - you name it! Whatever works best for you."
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