Education in Crisis and Conflict: Applied Research in SEL and Resilience

Group Submission Type: Formal Panel Session

Proposal

Resilience can be defined as a mediating set of conditions, abilities, assets, strategies, networks, and relationships—more simply known as “resilience capacities”—that help protect learning and well-being outcomes in the face of shocks and stressors (Shah, 2019). Resilience is different from self-reliance and requires political will to achieve across societies. Education can support a full range of absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacities among learners, their families, and their communities, although not all learners and communities will experience this equally.

The conceptual and applied research presented in this panel engage with sub-theme 3 of the conference to explore how the concept of resilience and the tools of social emotional learning (SEL) could prepare teachers for uncertain, insecure moments, where competing values, pressures, and agendas exceed the traditional scope of their profession. This panel brings together a paper on conceptual research to frame the idea of resilience at the systems level followed by three applied research papers focused on social emotional learning and resilience. The first presents learning from the Somalia Bab Amo Baro (BAB) project which addresses accelerated education for Somali youth and incorporates SEL in non-formal settings. The second shares evidence from a case study of SEL and resilience in northeast Nigeria that directly addresses questions of teacher preferences and preparation to include SEL in their work. The third case study will examine the role of networks in supporting practitioners as they develop skills and experience implementing SEL and other aspects of inclusive teaching. Discussing these practice-based case studies within a strong conceptual framework allows us to interrogate ways to support school systems to be better prepared to adapt to disruptions that are likely to intensify as climate change deepens.

Shah, R. (2019). Transforming Systems in Times of Adversity: Education and Resilience White Paper. USAID.

Sub Unit

• Education in Conflict and Emergencies SIG

Chair

• Kate Lapham, University of Dayton

Individual Presentations

• A Framework for Strengthening Resilience in Education - Julia Finder Johna, Save the Children US

• Improving Uptake, Quality and Fidelity of SEL Programming in Emergency Settings: Locally Sourcing SEL Content in Northeast Nigeria - Adane Miheretu, International Rescue Committee

• Bar ama Baro: Policy for Resilience in Education in Somalia - Shafiullhaq Rahimi, Creative Associates International Inc.

• Networks as Learning Communities to Build Resilience - Kate Lapham, University of Dayton