Writing in the Anthropocene and Potential for Ecological Witnessing as Pedagogy of Care

• In Event: Biographical, Documentary, and Life Writing Approaches Across Disciplines

Abstract

Teaching in the Anthropocene, I find my pedagogy and curricula falling short. As both a researcher and secondary teacher, the way we talk about and story climate change and ecological objects concerns me. In particular, the varieties of environmental discourse engaged in schools tends to affirm product and objective oriented neoliberal educational aims. Following from varying threads of interest in ecologically responsive pedagogy, writing in the Anthropocene, teacher identity, and intergenerational memory, this research engages in autobiographical writing as a method to interrogate my position and culpability and consider possibilities for ecological witnessing and care through such writing practices.

Author

• Alexanndra Marit Olsvik, University of Alberta
  Presenting Author