I consider myself very lucky as I have had an opportunity to work with a great team of both academics and students on a very exciting Co.Lab module. I was initially attracted to Edit/or module after attending the International Architectural Humanities Research Association (AHRA) Conference back in November 2017. At the time I was unaware that the Conference was taking place and knew very little about the event. I was in University working on design studio but picked up a leaflet as I entered the Parkside building. Looking over the leaflet I came across Chair speaker Hazem Ziada, a lecturer from the University of Huddersfield. At this point, I was completely captivated by the idea of finding out more as I have also been left inspired by Hazem Ziada after he was my course year leader during my first year on the BA (hons) Architecture course at Birmingham City University. I was fortunate enough to meet with Hazem and discuss ideas of the Conference before attending a few of the speaker’s presentations. I was unable to attend all days, but I got the chance to see The Pope, the Park, and the City: Dublin, 1979 by Brain Ward and Boyd Gary, along with a few of the other talks but was left fascinated by the work of Shelby Elizabeth Doyle, from Iowa State University, United States of America. I picked the Co.Lab module as I wanted to explore the Conference in further detail and to be part of a huge live project. During the past few months, I have taken on board several opinions on what makes a Festival, whether they have been from students, academics or keynote speakers.
While working with a strong focused team, the Edit/or module and the tasks we were set as a group have enabled me to learn various new skills including preparation of interview questions to gain the best response, transcribing interviews and professionally editing text for a published journal, all of which was academically challenging. I believe these new skills will allow me to work more effectively and efficiently in other modules while study the Master of Architecture course, such as Dissertation / Special Study. In addition to these new literacy skills, my design skills have expanded with website design and video editing, but I believe one of the most important new skills I have gained is the ability to work with tutors on a collaborative project, while dealing with tutors as client professionally and building a rapport to achieve the best output.
Moving forward beyond the Edit/or Co.Lab module I understand that there will still be a demand for work to be done within the editorial team before publishing the journal and the website, amongst other things in September 2018. I have really enjoyed being a part of the editorial team and would be happy to continue offering my assistance on tasks after the Co.Lab deadline.
Lewis Buckley
Edit/or – Editorial Team
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