Methods for Studying Learning in Social Movements: Consequences for the Movements and the Field

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This session reflects on the methodological choices of learning sciences research within politically-loaded informal learning environments--specifically, social movement contexts-- to investigate how our research designs shape the movements we partner with and the findings we generate. Four papers contrast our research designs and their impacts in our research and in social movements including advocacy around climate change, gun violence in schools, LGBTQ2S+ equality, and animal rights. Each paper discusses the tenets of a specific method and methodology, their application to a particular social movement, and their relevance for informal learning environments research.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Informal Learning Environment Research

Chair

• Joe Curnow, University of Manitoba

Papers

• Stimulated Recall Interviews as Politicizing Methodology - Joe Curnow, University of Manitoba; Sinead Dunphy, University of Toronto

• Unveiling the Invisibilized Resistance of Students and Teachers of Color Through an Embodied Raciolinguistic Analysis - Josephine Pham, University of California - Santa Cruz

• Microethnographic Approaches to the Critical Study of Learning in Social Movements: The Case for Discursive Psychology - Suraj Uttamchandani, Indiana University - Bloomington

• Maintaining Liminality in Research on the Learning of Animal Rights Activists - Tanner Vea, The Pennsylvania State University

Discussant

• Katie Headrick Taylor, University of Washington - Seattle