Future Learning Design Podcast

Olli-Pekka Heinonen, the Director General of the International Baccalaureate and author of 'Learning as If Life Depended on It', dives deep into the future of education. He discusses the urgent need to reshape our perceptions shaped by modernity and confront the societal illusions limiting our understanding. Heinonen emphasizes that trust is fading, and transformative change must start at the grassroots level. He advocates for a shift towards learning-focused communities and highlights the importance of connecting with diverse perspectives for a thriving future.

Join Rosa Moreno-Zutautas, Anisa Shaikh, Kathleen Delaski, Anthony Mann, and Shira Wolf-Cohen as they tackle the challenges young people face in choosing careers today. They discuss students' rising anxiety about the future and the importance of integrating career guidance in education. Insights reveal a demand for mental health support and the evolving expectations from educators. The panel emphasizes the need for real-world experience, tech literacy, and early career conversations among parents and students to prepare for a dynamic job market.

In 1981, the UN established the International Day of Peace to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace. In a time when both the influence of multilateral institutions like the UN is being questioned, and the peace we need is in rapidly shortening supply as violence becomes the norm, my guest this week is doing amazing work with communities to find more peaceful paths through questions of conflict resolution by taking a systemic and complexity-informed approach. How we engage our young people in responding peacefully to the inevitable conflict they experience in their own lives feels like a critical part of what we do as educators, but so is being open to question the way in which violence and harm can also be normalised by the systems in which we live and work. Dr Luke Roberts is the founder and Chief Executive Officer at Resolve Consultants (https://resolveconsultants.com/ ) and the author of ‘Leading Schools and Sustaining Innovation: How to Think Big and Differently in Complex Systems’ (https://www.routledge.com/Leading-Schools-and-Sustaining-Innovation-How-to-Think-Big-and-Differently/Roberts/p/book/9781032015620?utm_source=link&utm_medium=society_association&utm_campaign=B052718_pb1_5ll_6rm_t012_1al_9781032015620). Throughout his career, he has focused on conflict resolution, systems change and sustaining innovation. He completed his PhD at Cambridge in 2020. The focus of his research was the sustainability of innovation in organisations when viewed as socially Complex Adaptive Systems. He is an applied social scientist who uses System Thinking and Complexity Theory to address messy and ambiguous challenges which organisations and society face.He works across the private, and public sector helping leaders to understand their ecosystem and apply creative solutions to ill-defined and systemic issues in policy and practice. His work often involves understanding the creativity within organisations and communities which allows them to thrive. Conversations often focus on points of conflict in the system and what are the ways in this hinders opportunity and benefits.Luke has worked in the policy space with APPGs, Parliamentarians and Ministers, he has also advised policy leaders on multi-departmental working to address system issues. He is presently developming a leadership model which aligns with complex systems.

I've been so looking forward to sharing this conversation as it is an area that I am particularly passionate about. I feel very strongly that the way we think and talk about learning, teaching and education is so rooted in Behaviorism and Cognitivism and the dominant language of training and metaphors of the brain as a computer. And there is a still a widespread lack of awareness of the emerging insights of cognitive science - often called 4E cognitive science, referring to embodied, embedded, extended and enactive cognition. This is the idea that our understanding, thinking and learning in the world happen in our relationships with each other, our environments, the tools we use, and our bodies, not just as abstract representations in our brains.And there is no-one better to be talking about this with than Andrea Hiott who among other fantastic work, is the host of the Love and Philosophy channel and substack.All of her life, Andrea says, she has been motivated towards the same goal: "Finding ways for us to move beyond either/or mindsets, and to explore our multiplicity."Andrea is a philosopher, cognitive scientist and writer and is currently a researcher at numerous universities, she is also the author of various books, including Thinking Small and her latest book ‘Holding Paradox: the navigational approach to mind and consciousness’ is out in 2026.Andrea's website: https://www.andreahiott.net/Andrea's Love and Philosophy channel: https://lovephilosophy.substack.com/Andrea's community philosophy Substack called Waymaking: https://communityphilosophy.substack.com/Just released: Andrea's latest paper on 'Radical Embodied Relation at any Scale, from Remembering to Navigating' - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11245-025-10256-7Useful paper on 'What is 4E Cognitive Science?' by Cameron Alexander: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11097-025-10055-w

In this insightful discussion, Vanessa Machado de Oliveira Andreotti, Dean of the Faculty of Education and author, is joined by her daughter Giovanna, a dancer and educator, and Manda Scott, host of Accidental Gods. They delve into the complexities of personal and collective identity amid modern crises. The trio explores new narratives in education, the role of AI, and the interconnectedness of humanity with nature. They also share reflections on generational shifts, emphasizing resilience, compassion, and a rethinking of spirituality in the face of evolving societal challenges.

Dr. Uma Pradhan, an Associate Professor at UCL and co-author of 'Reimagining Development', discusses the intricate ties between education and societal progress. Joined by Dr. Peter Sutoris from Leeds University, they delve into redefining education, emphasizing inclusivity and diverse epistemologies. Their conversation highlights the value of marginalized knowledge systems and the need for radical humility in development efforts. They also explore the concept of 'deep time' to inspire long-term thinking about our future and the complexities of past experiences.

Ramji Raghavan, Founder Chairman of Agastya International Foundation, has dedicated his life to transforming education for underprivileged children in India. He discusses the critical shift towards hands-on learning and the power of a broader educational ecosystem. With innovative initiatives like mobile labs and experiential science centers, Raghavan reveals how these programs foster curiosity and creativity. The conversation highlights the importance of caring relationships between educators and students, driving home the message that meaningful interactions can inspire profound change.

In a thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Kapono Ciotti, the CEO of the Pacific American Foundation in Hawai'i, discusses the urgent need to rethink educational institutions through a cultural lens. He emphasizes returning to indigenous roots to inform innovative solutions. Topics include the redefinition of learning landscapes and the drawbacks of standardized math education. Kapono advocates for personalized learning that prioritizes individual exploration, urging a transformation in educational infrastructure to nurture deep human connections.

In a captivating discussion, Sam Crosby, a traditional oral storyteller and founder of Recalling Fire, delves into the transformative power of storytelling in education. He argues that making meaning often trumps merely making sense. Sam highlights the vital role of ancient myths and elders in today's 'crisis of meaning,' advocating for a personalized approach to learning. He emphasizes the importance of fostering genuine connections and self-awareness in young people, urging educators to embrace chaos, balance, and individual journeys.

Michaela Horvathova, co-founder and Chief Education Officer of Beyond Education, dives into measuring complex competencies in schools. She discusses integrating holistic approaches from sports into education, highlighting how resilience shapes teaching methods. Michaela also emphasizes the need for grassroots involvement in educational policy for systemic change. She critiques conventional metrics, advocating for assessments that foster creativity and collaboration. With a focus on ethical practices, she explores shifting from competition to development-focused evaluations.