Barbara van Mierlo and P.J. Beers: Learning in transformative change processes

The concept of learning is often used to describe or explain social and societal change. It is also criticized for being a too fuzzy concept to be meaningful for research and academic discussions. However, one could also perceive the wide world of theoretical perspectives on learning as a treasury, from which one can delve according to his/her goals. As long as it is done in an explicit, systematic and reflective way. In the seminar, we will explore the value of diverse learning perspectives for research undertaken at KTI (or, if you want, CTP, SSG, WUR).
 
A recently published article will be used as the starting point. It shows both the distinctive features as well as value and limitations of four interesting learning perspectives: collaborative learning, organisational learning, social learning in natural resource management and interactive learning in the learning economy.
 
The seminar is open to colleagues who will read the article in advance. Van Mierlo, B., & Beers, P. J. (2018). Understanding and governing learning in sustainability transitions: A review. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. In press.
 
At the seminar, we will explore:

1. (Potential) connections with ongoing, individual research projects:
   a. What notions of the diverse learning perspectives are (potentially) relevant for your own research?
   b. How are they applied/ would they apply to and possibly have to be adapted to the specificities of the study context?
   c. What more would you need to study learning in the context of your research?
2. Relevance for KTI-research:
   a. Learning is currently not a key concept at KTI, how relevant is it and what would be its value?
   b. How is it connected to knowledge and other key concepts?
    

We start with a 5 minutes introduction by Barbara about the background of the article and goals of the seminar. Then, the floor is open to personal contributions about the applicability of the learning perspectives in diverse study contexts. At the end of the seminar, we will draw some generic conclusions about learning in KTI-research.
 
 
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