Andrew Turk - 'Transdisciplinary Landscape Language Research with Engaged Phenomenology as Meta-Paradigm'

Season 9 continues with a presentation from our 2022 annual conference, Engaged Phenomenology II: Explorations of Embodiment, Emotions, and Spatiality. This episode features a presentation from Andrew Turk Abstract: This presentation discusses more than twenty years of transdisciplinary research with geographers, linguists, philosophers and collaborators from other disciplines. This research into landscape language (ethnophysiography) utilised applied and critical phenomenological methods to investigate practical, embodied, affective and engaged modes of dwelling which have continued for tens of thousands of years. This included the authors (second) PhD investigation and dissertation: Understanding Modes of Dwelling: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Phenomenology of Landscape (Murdoch University, Western Australia). A transdisciplinary approach, using engaged phenomenology as the over-arching meta-paradigm, was operationalised via a detailed case study and data analysis methodology, including phenomenography and other hermeneutic methods. Such collaborative research with indigenous peoples requires comprehensive ethical considerations, negotiations and protocols, involving appropriate engagement with both female and male participants. The research produced an explanatory model of factors relevant to differences in relationships with landscape, as place, (Ethnophysiography Descriptive Model) and identified language ontologies represented in landscape terms and toponyms (placenames). Case studies with Australian Indigenous language communities investigated their embodied relationships with landscape, as ‘taskscape’. Some language group members continue traditional practices; ceremonies at sacred sites, hunting, gathering and caring for ‘country’. The research recognised the central importance of their social/cultural/spiritual holistic system called (T)Jukurrpa in the central and western desert areas and other names in different languages (e.g. Bidarra Law in Yindjibarndi). This integrates social organisation, ethics and spirituality, intimately linking each specific language group to their ‘country’. It is inadequately termed ‘The Dreaming’ in English. This collaborative investigation facilitated interpretation of relationships with landscape in terms of commensurability with Heideggerian concepts of ‘care’, ‘authenticity’ and ‘topology’, while addressing ‘Eurocentrism’. Two case studies produced a Pictorial Dictionary of Landscape Terms for Yindjibarndi and for Manyjilyjarra Aboriginal languages. These dictionaries assist in language preservation, community cohesion and practical caring for ‘country’ by indigenous ranger teams.

Biography: Andrew Turk has degrees in Surveying, Applied Science (Cartography), Arts (Psychology/Philosophy), PhD [1992 - Melbourne University] and second PhD [2020 - Murdoch University]. In the 1970s and 1980s he worked for the Australian Government producing topographic maps, involving surveying fieldwork in remote areas (including Antarctica) and development of digital-mapping and GIS. In 1983 he commenced research/teaching at Melbourne University. From 1993 Andrew taught human factors aspects of Information Systems at Murdoch University and researched Native Title, community development and cultural information with Aboriginal communities. Since 2000 he has conducted transdisciplinary research into cultural/linguistic aspects of landscape (ethnophysiography) using phenomenology methods. Further Information: This recording is taken from our Annual UK Conference 2022: Engaged Phenomenology II: Explorations of Embodiment, Emotions, and Sociality (Exeter, UK / Hybrid) with the University of Exeter. Sponsored by the Wellcome Centre, Egenis, and the Shame and Medicine project. For the conference our speakers either presented in person at Exeter or remotely to people online and in-room, and the podcast episodes are recorded from the live broadcast feeds. The British Society for Phenomenology is a not-for-profit organisation set up with the intention of promoting research and awareness in the field of Phenomenology and other cognate arms of philosophical thought. Currently, the society accomplishes these aims through its journal, events, and podcast. About our events: https://www.thebsp.org.uk/events/ About the BSP: https://www.thebsp.org.uk/about/