🚀 go-pugleaf

Thanks Robert for raising an interesting and relevant questions. Like Richard,
I am an EDRA and Div. 34 regular. And I am frustrated with the quality of
papers at EDRA, and frustrated with the case studies, post occupancy
evaluations and descriptions of programming, which seem to add little to the
knowledge base. Interestingly, though, I have heard EDRA attendees complain
that conferences are overrun with environmental psychology. In a related
matter, APA also has quality problems and problems with lack of science.
(Consider for example this year's APA's presentations by Peter Eisenman &
Philip Johnson who have made a point of designing uncomfortable buildings).
Many scientists have fled APA for regional conferences or other organization
which places more emphasis on science.
While I am frustrated with EDRA I continue to go because through all the
garbage I usually find some jewels, one or two new ideas. They may come from
formal sessions, informal discussion, and they may come from designers,
psychologists or others. Similarly, I find I get valuable feedback on my own
work from this diverse audience. Looking back to the original EDRAs, it looks
like the conferences included basic research, applied research, evaluation
research, and applications of research, the same as now. And while the sessions
and conferences can be frustrating, I see a strength in multidisciplinarity.
That is part of what makes EDRA and Div. 34 unique and valuable. Another part
is the shared commitment to making environments better for people.
My question for EDRA is why we don't try a different kind of conference. For
example, Paul Cherulnik suggested that instead of the standard sessions, we
might try a full conference of poster sessions, where both the presenter and
the audience could get the benefit of one on one exchange. With all the
concern in both EDRA and Div. 34 about settings, do we really think the
standard sessions with three papers and some audience comments, or workshops
are best?
--
Jack

jnasar@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu