Promoting Circular Economy Change Through Formal & Informal Learning

Full Title: Exploring the Intersection of Formal and Informal Learning to Promote Change Towards a Circular Economy Through Sustainability and STEM Education

Funder: Irish Research Council (Enterprise Partnership Programme)

Duration: 09/2023 – 08/2027

Lead on Project: Dublin City University

Other Partners: The Rediscovery Centre

Status: Open

About:

Through the IRC Enterprise Partnership programme, the Rediscovery Centre is supporting a Doctoral researcher to explore the fusion of formal and informal learning to bring about change in Irish society. This will specifically explore the impact of this learning on young people, and how it encourages sustainable and equitable practices in response to global challenges. 

The Rediscovery Centre, with its focus on the circular economy and its education remit, offers a unique setting to investigate such a fusion. Our education programme for secondary schools, which covers a variety of environmental and STEM topics, will be the focus for this study.

Background:

The transition to the circular economy requires all of us to think and behave differently. Education plays a vital role in ensuring that everyone is equipped with the knowledge and skills required to apply circular thinking in their lives. 

Education is not always delivered through formal channels – it is recognised that informal learning settings such as Museums, Galleries, Outdoors (outside the formal classroom) can also provide a key source of information and inspiration. However, the impact of combined formal and informal learning on knowledge, behaviour and attitudes of students is not well characterised in the short or long term, particularly in relation to circular economy and sustainability.

Objectives:

This research will explore four central research questions, applying the frameworks of change theory and theory of change, including: 

• How are the change initiatives of Ireland aligned with UNESCO’s and EU’s Education for sustainability framework, and how do they contribute to the global transition towards sustainability?
• How successful is the Rediscovery Centre’s Education Programmes in meeting their vision through their sustainability and STEM workshops for secondary school students?
• What are the challenges encountered in these change initiatives by the Rediscovery Centre, and is there room for improvement in the integration of formal and informal learning brought about by the Rediscovery Centre to maximise the impact of this change for secondary school students and relevant stakeholders?
• How can the impact of formal and informal learning on the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of secondary school students and relevant stakeholders be measured in the short and long term and what is the impact of current and potential future formal and informal learning initiatives?