Sketch: Connecting people and places using worms and waste

Abstract

The concepts of social responsibility and sustainability are embedded in veterinary medical education and professional practice. However, it can be difficult to clearly identify sustainability challenges within the veterinary professional context. Play in this case involved creative use of institutional waste to construct mini-wormeries. This provided an effective method to encourage students and staff to engage with these concepts and develop practical strategies for further projects. This sketch will outline two workshops—the first to create the wormery and the second to reflect on animal welfare and the environment through a “walk-and-talk” with specialists in a range of fields.