Contemplative pedagogy in higher education: building confidence and community

Date

September 9, 2019 14:00 - September 12, 2019 13:00 UTC

Title

Contemplative pedagogy in higher education: building confidence and community

Location

Emerson College, Forest Row, UK

Posted by

Caroline Barratt

Details

Contemplative pedagogy in higher education: building confidence and community
A four-day symposium for educators
Teaching and supporting students in higher education within the current environment of political and financial uncertainty, is difficult. Increasing workloads and expectations, and growing anxiety and poor mental health amongst staff and students, reflect the challenging nature of both working and studying in modern day universities. Contemplative pedagogy, with its active embrace of the subjectivities of learners and educators, combined with its call for slowing down, feeling and connecting goes against the prevailing trends in higher education today. Growing research points to the value of contemplative approaches in teaching and learning, to deepen understanding, build community and improve the wellbeing of students and those teaching and supporting them.
The theme of this contemplative pedagogy symposium is building confidence and community and it is relevant for anyone with an interest in contemplative ways of teaching and learning, no matter their level of experience or formal role. The event will include workshops run by participants who will demonstrate how they use contemplative practices in teaching, learning and the support students. There will be time to engage in contemplative practices together and actively build our community. Through the use of Open Space Technology, there will be deep exploration of your own questions and the gentle fostering of confidence and community.
At this point we envisage three key areas for exploration:

• How do we slow and deepen learning both for ourselves and our students?
• How do we build community both within our institutions and outside, so that difficult social challenges such as social justice and inequality can be explored meaningfully and tackled effectively?
• How can contemplative pedagogy contribute to culture change so that we might create a more just and sustainable future in and through higher education?

We invite you to come with an inquisitive mind and a willingness to actively participate and explore your own experience. The event will create space for reflection and meaning making, allowing you to develop greater confidence in your role as an educator and the potential for change that this embodies. This will, again, be a truly unique event on your conference timetable.
Cost
Early Bird Employer funded: £510 (available until 31.05.19)
Early Bird Self Funded: £410 (available until 31.05.19)
Employer funded: £590
Self-funded: £490
The symposium fees include tuition, all meals (from Monday lunchtime until Thursday lunchtime) and accommodation in single rooms with shared bathroom facilities onsite at Emerson College.
For more information and to book your place click here.