Contemporary democracies are managing institutional, cultural and technological change rightly seen as historic in both nature and in scope. These changes are proving to be so disruptive that it is unremarkable and understandable for civil society to hold on to traditions, habits and conventions that offer stability and comfort. Citizens can and should be free to preserve what is important and worthwhile in the midst of world-historic disruption e.g., democratic norms and values. However, one trade-off to this approach is a potential retrenchment of closed-minded public attitudes. In fact, this retrenchment can be observed across the political spectrum evinced in, among other developments, the resurgence of ideological conflict, civic mistrust and political polarization within free and open democratic societies.
Education is often thought to have a democratic function – preparing new citizens for civic life. However, to what extent might education play a role in mitigating ideological and other forms of closed-mindedness in the public sphere? This international, interdisciplinary panel discussion will explore the role that education can play in promoting forms of creative thought and practice that can help a distressed democratic sphere to better engage with disruptive change. Panelists will address themes such as transcending disciplinary assumptions, aesthetics, creativity, and institutional reform.
Thursday, April 9, 2026
12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. PDT
UBC Okanagan, EME 1123,
1137 Alumni Ave., Kelowna
OR online via Zoom.
Please note, while this session will be offered online, it will not be recorded.
Speakers
Dr Matthew Isherwood, Lecturer, Centre for Research in Transdisciplinary Education, University of Exeter
Dr. Madeleine Ransom, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Political Science and Philosophy, University of British Columbia, Canada Research Chair, Artificial Intelligence, Wellbeing and Ethics
Noah Arney, IGS PhD Student, Centre for Mindful Engagement, Okanagan School of Education, University of British Columbia
Erin Scott, Instructor, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, University of British Columbia
Hosted by the Centre for Mindful Engagement, Okanagan School of Education, The University of British Columbia