FOLAR’s forthcoming talk series
Seeing Woods for Trees Image: Kate Cullity
It is so exciting for the discipline of landscape architecture to see more people engaging in research at the PhD level and beyond, and particularly when this involves making use of the growing Landscape Institute Collection of papers, journals, books, drawings, photos, diaries, sketch books, films, and much more, that are housed at The MERL.
When this research feeds back into the education of future landscape architects, or directly informs professional practice, its value extends well past personal intellectual development.
Because we want to encourage more to think about pursuing this option, we thought it would be useful to understand more about the journey people take, to encourage others. This prompts several questions. What kinds of PhD pathways are available within landscape architecture and related areas? What motivates someone to take on such a significant commitment? How do researchers choose the topics they will explore in depth? How does this period of concentrated thinking and inquiry shape their perspectives and professional identities? How do they fund their studies? And, importantly, what challenges do they face along the way—and what benefits does this journey ultimately bring?
We have invited five special speakers to talk about their personal experiences – Kati Wolff and Sarah Dickinson are in the middle of their research, Charlotte McLean has recently been awarded her PhD, Kate Cullity and her partners were awarded a PhD as a practice, and for a longer perspective David Jacques will reflect on his career path and where that has taken him since he was awarded his PhD.
Tuesdays 17 March-28 April 2026 online talks with Q+A
17 March Kati Wolff - On Katri Luostarinen: Pioneer of Regenerative Landscape Design in Post-War Finland - 18:00 - 19:30 (GMT)
24 March Charlotte McLean - It’s never too late … undertaking a PhD in your 50s - 18:00 - 19:30 (GMT)
April 14 Kate Cullity - Braided Pathways: A Practice Sustained by Difference - 19.30 - 20.45 pm (BST) [please note time difference]
April 21 Sarah Dickinson - The challenges of developing a thesis on the impact and significance of the planting plan - 18:00 - 19:30 (BST)
April 28 David Jacques - An original contribution to knowledge -18:00 - 19:30 (BST)
TICKETS For INDIVIDUAL TALKS AVAILABLE on each event page
Kindly note - you are only a FOLAR Member if you pay an annual subscription to FOLAR or you are a full or part time student and have registered with FOLAR as a student friend (https://www.folar.uk/membership). Student membership of FOLAR is FREE!
So, why not join now, https://www.folar.uk/membership get it done; no need to think about this again until next year?!