Future Learning Design Podcast

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.

Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, founder of Identity Talk Consulting, specializes in transforming K-12 educators into identity-affirming teachers. He discusses the pressing need to rethink traditional educational methods and assessments, advocating for approaches that celebrate diverse identities. Kwame highlights the shift towards community-driven education and the importance of collective intelligence in addressing complex challenges. His insights encourage teachers to embrace their roles as transformative agents in a post-pandemic world, fostering equity and inclusivity.

Indy Johar, an architect and co-founder of Dark Matter Labs, join Adam Purvis, who builds mission-led movements, for a thought-provoking conversation. They discuss the urgent need to shift from traditional educational frameworks to community-focused, transformative learning models. Topics include rethinking freedom and collective agency in education, the impact of AI on learning, and the importance of empowering local democracy. They advocate for a holistic, interconnected approach that prepares future generations for a rapidly evolving world.

Join Satheesh Namasivayam and Bade Kucukoglu, co-founders of MindVISA and the Center for AWE, as they explore the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern education. They discuss how cultural practices like dance and rituals can help adolescents connect more deeply with themselves and their communities. Their transformative journeys highlight the need for holistic education that embraces diverse cultural insights. Discover the benefits of sensory awareness and emotional expression in fostering creativity and unity among youth.

In an engaging conversation, Adam Kahane, Director at Reos Partners and renowned facilitator of complex social processes, shares insights on transforming systems through everyday habits. He emphasizes radical engagement as a way for young people and educators to actively participate in change. Adam discusses the balance between agency and authority in education, the need for strategic rest in activism, and the importance of humility in decision-making. He also philosophizes on love, power, and justice, advocating for collaboration in addressing societal challenges.

This week we're exploring embodiment science in education with some of the worlds leading embodiment practitioners and cognitive scientists! We believe that this is one of the most important shifts happening in education globally, which is simultaneously so simple, and yet so hard to budge given the depths of the tendencies towards disembodiment, especially in the Western tradition, that we explore. Joining Tim in this fantastic conversation are:Arawana Hayashi heads the creation of Social Presencing Theater (SPT) for the Presencing Institute. Working with Otto Scharmer and colleagues, she brings her background in the arts, meditation, and social justice to creating “social presencing” that makes visible both current reality and emerging future possibilities for individuals and groups. She is currently on the core faculty of the Presencing Institute. Links: https://arawanahayashi.com/https://www.u-school.org/ Book: Social Presencing Theater: The Art of Making a True Move - https://presencing.market/collections/frontpage/products/social-presencing-theater-the-art-of-making-a-true-move Prof. Guy Claxton is a cognitive scientist, education thought leader and prolific author interested in expanding human intelligence through research, writing and education. He has spent most of his working life based in a variety of UK universities including Oxford, Bristol, King’s College London and Winchester. Links: https://www.guyclaxton.net/Recent Deans Lecture Series, University of Melbourne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGFEswKBnMwBook: Co-authored with Emily Poel, Bodies of Learning: How Embodiment Science Transforms Education will be released soon from Routledge.Dr. Akhil Kumar Singh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Policy at MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences. Akhil works at the intersection of Philosophy, Psychology and education, emphasizing the creation of educational policies and innovative curricula based on embodied approaches that drive systemic change. Links: https://akhilksingh.in/https://www.msruas.ac.in/faculty-staff/akhil-kumarBook, Education for the Embodied Human: A Contemporary Understanding on Human Nature for Holistic Education - https://brill.com/display/title/71864Emily Poel has been teaching embodiment in Berlin for over fifteen years. Originally from Michigan and with a degree in contemporary dance performance and history, she's worked internationally as a performer, choreographer and creative advisor. In 2004 she shifted her focus to embodiment training and hasn’t stopped since. Over the last ten years she's developed a large collection of activities using physical awareness tools and movement training to better understand how creativity, learning and thinking actually work. Emily is the co-author with Guy, of the forthcoming book, Bodies of Learning: How Embodiment Science Transforms Education.Links: https://embodimentatwork.co/Move4Schools - https://move4schools.com/Caroline Williams is a UK-based science writer with 20 years’ experience in magazine and radio journalism. She writes regularly for New Scientist magazine. Her work has also appeared in the Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph, BBC Future, BBC Earth and the Boston Globe. ​She is the author of three books: Inner Sense: How the New Science of Interoception Can Transfrom Your Health (2025), Move! The New Science of Body Over Mind (2021) and Override (published as My Plastic Brain in the US, 2018), and the editor of two of New Scientist’s Instant Expert Guides: How Your Brain Works: Inside the most complicated object in the known universe (2017) and Your Conscious Mind: Unravelling the greatest mystery of the human brain (2017).Links: https://www.carolinewilliams.net/Caroline's latest book - https://profilebooks.com/work/inner-sense/Move4Schools - https://move4schools.com/