Perspectives in Education - July 2024
Perspectives in Education
In July, we hosted Professor Ian Kinchin, who presented on 'How to Mend a University: An Ecological Approach'. Following his presentation, we celebrated the launch of the book 'Belonging and Identity in STEM Higher Education', edited by Dr. Camille Kandiko Howson and Professor Martyn Kingsbury.
Linked to the publication of his new book (How to Mend a University), Professor Ian Kinchin outlined a personal perspective on a possible future for our universities that moves away from the neoliberal values of consumerism and competition, towards a more caring and sustainable ecological perspective. The five moves towards an ecological university are summarized in an integrated model that presents a challenge to the managerialism that currently dominates university discourses. The presentation will consider the opportunities and difficulties that such a move will generate and suggests how we might begin by re-considering the theories we use to underpin teacher development.
Suggested reading: Kinchin, I.M. (2023) Five moves towards an ecological university. Teaching in Higher Education, 28(5): 918-932. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2023.2197108 [open access].
Following this talk, we launched the book ' Belonging and Identity in STEM Higher Education', edited by Dr Camille Kandiko Howson and Professor Martyn Kingsbury. This book explores the dynamics of belonging and identity in STEM fields, highlighting how disciplinary changes and the post-pandemic context affect these concepts. It offers valuable insights for those working in equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), as well as STEM educators and researchers.