Scientific research network ‘Sustainability Didactics – SUDI’

About

Teaching about sustainability issues is crucial for meaningful education today, but it is also a difficult task. It brings about very specific pedagogical and didactical challenges. Teachers are puzzled by questions such as ‘How to teach about topics like global inequality, genocide, or climate change without leaving students overwhelmed and paralyzed?’, or ‘How to navigate a plurality of diverse and sometimes conflicting perspectives and values without falling into anything-goes relativism or polarisation?’

Sustainability education research has provided us with scientific knowledge about what is in general important in sustainability teaching, for instance: pluralism, action competence, creating space for emotions and existential concerns. However, in-depth insight into what this implies in practice – that is, what kind of ‘didactical work’ it requires – is still scarce. Because it is precisely that sort of knowledge that is needed to enhance teaching and learning practices, the SUDI network’s ambition is to facilitate and strengthen research that addresses these blind spots.