University of Sheffield: School of Architecture and Landscape

The new School of Architecture and Landscape has been formed at the University of Sheffield as part of a restructure condensing 42 academic units into 20 across the university, in part because of the increasing regulation of universities by the government. Bringing these disciplines together into one academic unit, having been separate for so long at Sheffield, presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

Historically the relationship between landscape architecture and architecture has sometimes been misunderstood. Landscape architecture is not seen by many as a separate profession with its own distinct features. This seems to be the case for people of all ages, from young people who might want to study and become landscape architects, to parents, teachers and even clients who do not appreciate the benefits of a landscape-led approach to the built environment.

Staff have a good understanding that we are two separate disciplines and there is a great opportunity for us to build on this understanding while also developing new ways in which the two professions can complement each other to meet today’s environmental and social problems – something that is already fostered in our unique dual degree, Architecture and Landscape.

The School starts with an excellent track record of teaching, with both disciplines drawing upon the deep research and scholarship of core staff, some of whom have practice experience, which is enhanced by the input of practitioners at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. This prepares students well for practice and the employability track record – especially for Landscape – is very good. We have often had employers at our end-of-year show needing more graduates than we can offer.

Further, our unique dual degree programme of Architecture and Landscape gives students, should they choose, the opportunity to progress to become both accredited architects and chartered landscape architects, while some choose to continue at master’s level in just one of the disciplines. These students in particular work incredibly hard and graduate with immense knowledge to influence the professions in a positive way. Our undergraduate intake for this programme this October is the highest it has ever been and is a strength we will look to build on.

Our research ranges across a wide variety of themes and draws on disciplinary backgrounds from environmental and social science, visualisation and mapping to history and humanities. Some overarching research themes include the impact and need to contribute to the amelioration of climate change and the biodiversity emergency; questions of social equity; participatory work with communities; and challenges of health and wellbeing. One of our tasks in this first academic year is to better understand the synergies across our research portfolio, as we seek to develop ways of working together in some of these areas and increase our impact for the professions, policy and communities.

The future will present new opportunities to work together which are currently unknown, but we look forward to discussing and developing these opportunities as they emerge.

Heading up the new school as a Professor of Landscape Architecture

I have been surrounded by architects (or would-be architects) for much of my life. My father was a buildings project officer for Aston University and introduced me to landscape architecture as a discipline, but my interest also emerged from being born and raised in Bournville, giving me an inbuilt sense of the benefit of a great network of walkable outdoor green spaces associated with housing, schools, work and recreation.

After studying landscape architecture, I worked in practice with architects in both local authority and private practice. After moving from practice to academia and then serving as a long-standing member of staff, I became Head of the Department of Landscape Architecture at Sheffield two and a half years ago. It is an honour to now take on this role as Head of School of Architecture and Landscape.

As we move forward in this new venture, part of my role is to ensure that Sheffield University sustains its reputation as a great centre for education and research for both landscape and architecture, feeding high-quality graduates into the professions. This is not only my responsibility but also that of the amazing staff we have in both disciplines and the enthusiasm and commitment of students now and in the future. We start this process with a vibrant intake of undergraduates for both disciplines this autumn, which makes me very happy.

Helen Woolley FLI is Professor of Landscape Architecture, Children’s Environments and Society and Head of the School of Architecture and Landscape at the University of Sheffield. Working across public and private sectors, her research has focused on the benefits of green and open spaces. Helen has worked with government departments, NGOs, national and international charities, schools, manufacturers and social housing providers, with findings feeding into both policy and practice.

Student impact

Social media is now a key route to professional networking and in spring 2024, Sheffield University’s Landscape Architecture employability team developed two social media projects to support students.

First year undergraduate student Christabel Nzekwe-Excel was recently inspired by a visit to Nigeria and when preparing for her undergraduate degree took up a volunteer position with Garden World Nigeria as an intern from her home in the UK. When we discovered she had been involved in podcasts, highlighting the importance of design with native plants, we asked Christabel to use her podcasting skills to create content for our Employability Intranet site.

Using the podcast studios at the University, Christabel interviewed Sarah Collings, a final year Landscape Architecture conversion master’s student, about her use of social media, as well as Marko Yau, an MLA student who is returning to his master’s Year at Sheffield from a year in practice. During his undergraduate studies, Marko wanted to learn about LinkedIn and set himself a 365-day posting challenge, using the social media platform for learning and peer support, as well as professional networking.

The university also offered a competitive ‘post’ to support social media outreach with the local LI Branch. Final year MA student Tamanna Parwani reviewed the Branch’s existing social media outputs, then proposed and delivered a series of posts across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. The Branch saw more than a 70% increase in followers on Instagram and a big uplift on impact with LinkedIn posts. The spring AGM was very well attended, with lots of candidates for committee posts. The Branch believes this was due in no small part to our student expertise.

As the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield transitions this September to the School of Architecture and Landscape, we look forward to another year of learning, both for and from our students.

Dr Bridget Snaith CMLI is Lecturer in Landscape Architecture Design Practice at the University of Sheffield.