The MSCA ITN SUSPLACE ran from October 1 2015, till September 30 2019. April 1 2016, all 15 fellows started with their projects at the respective host institutes. Every six months a consortium meeting was organized, combined with training and supervision sessions. The first 9 months they worked on their Research Design, and after approval started the data collection and analysis. Next to the individual research and outputs, the co-creation of joint outputs started. The project ended with an engaging and vibrant Final Event in May 2019 in Tampere, Finland.
TRAINING:
A joint Research Training & Networking (RTN) Session took place each half year. In total, 6 RTN sessions were organized. These Joint RTN Sessions had two components:
a) a SUSPLACE Seminar of 2-3 days, in which fellows and supervisors discussed individual progress and overall issues regarding a common theoretical framework, methodologies, joint outcomes, communication and dissemination, (potential) impact;
b) SUSPLACE Training of 5-7 days, during which basic and advanced courses and training in professional skills have been offered by both academic and non-academic partners and visiting scientists.
Besides, all fellows took part in a diversity of elective training activities offered by their host institute or others.
RESEARCH:
The 15 fellows investigated a range of cases and practices in different European contexts. Some fellows focused on one place-shaping initiative in particular, while others looked at practices in various places or compared places/regions. Most fellows carried out participative research or applied elements of action research.
OUTPUT:
• Videos of inspiring examples of place-shaping practices across Europe, see www.susplace.net
• Open Access Toolkit with “Arts-based Methods for Transformative Engagement”
• “Creating Sustainable Places Together. A quick start guide for policy-makers and practitioners to place-based working and co-production”
• Seven peer-reviewed articles have been published and several more are in review or submission. See www.susplace.net for an overview.
• The SUSPLACE Children’s book “Once Upon the Future” is forthcoming
IMPACT:
• Through blogs, videos and reports published on the SUSPLACE website, a diverse audience of academics, students, policy-makers and practitioners has been reached.
• Scientific impact has been realized through the participation in conferences and workshops and the publication of peer-reviewed articles that will be continued.
• All SUSPLACE fellows engaged in public outreach activities, ranging from school visits to community events.
• The SUSPLACE Arts-based Toolkit was received enthusiastically by academics and practitioners all over the world and is being implemented in settings varying from education to governments and community projects.
• Insights from the research projects have been integrated into graduate and undergraduate education at the hosting institutes.
• The SUSPLACE Final Event brought together 80 participants from a diversity of backgrounds to discuss and experience the use of transformative methods.
