Recently, I have had the great pleasure of working with Dr. Kshamta Hunter, a pedagogic expert at The University of British Columbia. Her passion for sustainability education shines as we had dialogues about our mutual drive for transformation in the higher education system. It was great to begin a journey with Kshamta and the Impact Network for Rgenerative Futures (IN4RF) by collaborating on our narratives, which will be shared soon in a new book. For now, here is more about Kshamta’s story:
I am interested in designing responsive and relevant integrative values-based curriculum and pedagogical approaches for the 21st century through understanding the development of competencies for innovation toward sustainability. I am fortunate to be able to shape many of my research ideas into practice through my work with the Sustainability Hub, through programs such as the Sustainability Ambassadors leadership program and developing new pedagogical models for climate education, including Climate Kind Pedagogy.
My core values that drive everything I do are respect for all humans and more-than-human worlds, kindness, justice, and love. I truly believe that all sustainability issues are inherently justice issues and the right kind of education has the potential to change paradigms, value systems, and oppressive structures.
This week, the IN4RF teachers gathered for an end of term dialogue to discuss the ongoing engagement of student seed projects and our plans for our next group meeting in February 2025. The year has already passed by and so much of our plans have been put into action. We also welcomed new members to the group, research fellow and lecturer Liisi Paula, in Educational Science at the University of Tartu, Estonia. Her passion for the futuring method will be a great contribution to this network.
Our dialogue this week included work with biodiversity strategies and the interdisciplinary influence of finance and biodiversity value as a commodity to motivate communities. Another new member of the network, Rohan Choudhary, also has interstes in investments in technology solutions and biodiversity challenges that can help drive regenerative processes. Some of thre engagement activities that have been taking place this term were shared, including student focus groups, interdisciplinary workshops, gaming, and using the futuring method. As Alexander Davis commented
“It is important to give students the voice to be able to transform narratives towards regenerative futures.”
We would like to say thank you to all that have gotten involved with the IN4RF project and the great engagement students are showing in each hub. The interdisciplinary action and support given shows how innovative and creative minds can help to grow seeds of inspiration that travel around the world. We look forward to our IN4RF workshop meeting in the new year and to hearing more about all the seed projects taking root. Happy winter holidays everybody!
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