People needed for research on education for sustainable development (ESD)

30th April 2012

Jane Ward from NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) has been on sabbatical from 6 April 2012 to carry out research into learning for sustainability (ESD) and is looking for adult learners (19+) and their tutors to contribute to this research.

Jane is researching policy and practice in adult learning for sustainability (ESD) in the UK. She will be focusing on formal and informal learning in further education (FE), workplace and adult and community learning. Learner's voices are missing from most research about learning for sustainability so Jane is very keen to interview current or previous adult learners and the tutors they worked with. People who were new to learning for sustainability is of particular interest.

Jane's focus is on the difference (if any) that taking part in ESD has made for the people who took part and their families, communities and/or workplaces and what it was that has made this difference. A broad definition of learning for sustainable development is used, to include any learning that contributes to environmental, community and economic sustainability; examples might include learning about specific sustainability themes such as environment and nature, saving energy, recycling through art and craft, growing food, fair trade, global citizenship, community leadership and volunteering, cultural diversity, green skills and sustainability learning embedded in other subjects in informal or formal learning. These are only a few examples and there are many other creative ways that learning for sustainability takes place.

Jane is looking to talk to small groups for 30 - 45 minutes in May and June about why they took part in the learning, what difference it has made to their knowledge, attitudes and lives/behaviours and what it was that made the change. A report of the research findings with recommendations for policy and practice and a short booklet to inspire tutors and adult learners will be produced. It is hoped that this work will help to put learners' voices into thinking about sustainability learning policy and practice.

Please contact Jane Ward if you have a group that would be willing to take part or you would like more details jane.ward@niace.org.uk