Experiences with Transdisciplinary Course Designs

Research is increasingly recognizing the significant benefits that inter- and transdisciplinary learning processes can offer when engaging with complex issues like climate and sustainability. However, designing, leading, and securing institutional support for transdisciplinary sustainability courses remains a challenge in most universities, CEGEPs and schools.

In this talk, Dr. Blane Harvey and Emily Sprowls share their experiences as co-designers, co-instructors and co-learners in an innovative environmental and sustainability education course at McGill University. Drawing on research conducted as part of this course, as well as three other recent sustainability courses in McGill’s Faculty of Education, they share insights on the enablers, barriers, and potential contributions of transdisciplinary teaching and learning for sustainability. You are invited to reflect on strategies for realizing the benefits of transdisciplinary sustainability teaching while anticipating and responding to the challenges that these approaches may encounter.