An informal and transformative learning environment: The case of ODTÜ Bostan community garden in Turkey

Abstract

This study explores the role of ODTÜ Bostan (METU Garden), a community garden at the Middle East Technical University in Turkey, in promoting sustainability education, ecology, and food consumption practices. For ten years, ODTÜ Bostan has been a collaborative space where participants—including students, academic and non-academic staff, and their families—grow and share food using ecological agricultural methods. This research examines how this community garden creates a setting for alternative and interdisciplinary learning, supporting practical engagement, critical thinking, and community interaction for community participants. Drawing on the Education for Sustainable Development and transformative learning frameworks, this qualitative study employs autoethnography, thematic analysis of eight semi-structured interviews, and content analysis of archival data. The findings indicate that ODTÜ Bostan not only enhances participants' sustainability competencies but also serves as an educational laboratory, demonstrating the potential of community gardens to address global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. The study highlights the importance of integrating interdisciplinary and learner-centered approaches in higher education leading to collective action for societal change toward sustainability.