What do our Mayfielders Learn?

Over the past ten years, the Mayfield Project has included 150 Mayfielders from across the Australasian region. Our Mayfielders come from a range of different locations from Perth to Paris, Tasmania to Washington, and a range of professions across architecture, education, planning and government. One of the great benefits of the Mayfield Project is the connections and professional networking involved with people from across the world learning together. As a previous Mayfielder told us:

‘I have developed valued professional relationships and friendships with colleagues met through the Mayfield Project that have been maintained over the last 10+ years ago. I've also actively sought out opportunities to work with fellow 'Mayfielders' on education projects. And look forward to catching up with everyone at the annual conference each year!’

The opportunity to learn from people in different sectors and from different geographical locations expands young professionals understanding of issues that are currently affecting the learning environment industry. As another Mayfielder told us :

‘I have a greater understanding of what is important to others within educational facility planning. For example understanding key common issues for educators. This has helped me when working with educators, planners etc when working in my practice.’

Our Mayfielders have worked together over Webex, on Facebook and LinkedIn, on GoTo and Zoom meetings and face-to-face. Collaborating through a range of physical and digital learning environments increases our Mayfielder’s understanding of, and confidence in, different methods of communication and teamwork. LEA are proud to be supporting young professionals to increase their skills and knowledge of different ways of working and learning within the educational design community. One of the previous participants recently told us:

‘Participating in the Mayfield Project has helped me improve my collaboration skills, working virtually, and given me more of a focus on my own life-long learning / professional development. It has also given me opportunities to travel within NZ to present at a Christchurch LENZ event, and at an Auckland event too, which has helped my presenting (and preparation) skills.’

As well as developing different methods of learning and working, Mayfielders face their fears presenting to a full conference delegation. As one of our previous participants told us:

‘I've become a confident presenter and regularly speak at conferences and events on learning space design. Whilst I have been a specialist in this area for some time, it was my first Mayfield experience in 2010 that pushed me well out of my comfort zone and onto the stage to present to the full delegation.’

The experience of presenting your views and projects aren’t often presented to early career professionals. The Mayfield Project offers an opportunity for these committed professionals to investigate current issues and share their findings with a wider network.

There are many benefits to learning through the Mayfield Project, and our recent survey results have provided an important basis for us to continue to improve and expand the Project. We hope our next group of Mayfielders enjoy the process as much as our previous participants.

 Dani Martin

Chair, Mayfield Project