Experiential approaches to sustainability education: towards learning landscapes
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 14 February 2019
Issue publication date: 22 February 2019
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to critically reflect the current specialist discourse on experiential approaches to higher education for sustainable development (HESD). Limitations to the current discourse are identified, and as a result, an alternative approach to the study of experiential education (EE) within HESD is suggested.
Design/methodology/approach
Three research questions are addressed by analysing the literature on EE and experiential learning (EL) within HESD in specialist academic journals.
Findings
There is a consensus among authors regarding the appropriateness of experiential approaches to HESD. However, limitations to the current discourse suggest the need for an alternative approach to studying EE within HESD. Therefore, this paper proposes the application of the learning landscape metaphor to take a more student-centred and holistic perspective.
Originality/value
The learning landscape metaphor has previously not been applied to EE within HESD. This alternative conceptualisation foregrounds student perspectives to experiential initiatives within HESD. The holistic approach aims to understand the myriad influences on students learning, while allowing examination of how experiential approaches relate to other educational approaches within HESD.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This article was written as part of the research undertaken within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Network SUSPLACE; the authors would therefore like to thank the coordinators of the programme: Dirk Roep, Lummina Horlings and Anke de Vrieze. Additionally, the authors extend a special thank you to Alex Franklin and Kelli Pearson, for their valuable feedback on the draft version of this paper. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 674962.
Citation
Backman, M., Pitt, H., Marsden, T., Mehmood, A. and Mathijs, E. (2019), "Experiential approaches to sustainability education: towards learning landscapes", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 139-156. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-06-2018-0109
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited