Pedagogy in the Anthropocene

“Much has been written about the Anthropocene but surprising little about its implications for education. This book tackles that fundamental issue head-on. The definitions and interpretations of the Anthropocene are vast, but they all point towards the same formidable challenge – we need to examine who we are and what relationship we should have with the rest of the planet. The next generations will feel the full force of the Anthropocene, so there is nothing more important than preparing them for the uncertain future of the human epoch.” —Will Steffen, Emeritus Professor, The Australian National University, Canberra “This book charts critical pedagogical pathways for an unknown future. Its offerings range from those who believe the future is dark yet holds a flickering torch of hope for the future, and others that believe that the hope for the future lies in our ability to re-wild and re-pair the extraordinary damage we have done to the planet, through re-vitalized consciousness and connections. —Makere Stewart-Harawira, Professor, University of Alberta, Canada This book confronts new pedagogical challenges of the Anthropocene era. The authors argue that this new epoch, with an unstable climate and new varieties of globally spreading viruses, calls for a re-invigoration in education and an alertness to new philosophies of education, pedagogical imaginations, thoughts and practices. Addressing the linkages between the Anthropocene and Pedagogy across a broad pedagogical and cultural spectrum that is both formal and informal, the editors and their contributors emphasize a re-imagining of education that is alive, and serves to deepen our understandings of the capacities and values of all planetary life. Michael Paulsen is Associate Professor and Head of Intercultural Pedagogy Studies at the University of Southern Denmark. jan jagodzinski is Professor of Visual Art and Media Education at the University of Alberta, Canada. Shé M. Hawke is Assistant Professor and Head of the Mediterranean Institute for Environmental Studies (2019-2021), Science and Research Centre, Koper, Slovenia. She is also an Honorary Associate in the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies, University of Sydney, Australia.