Democratising urban communities
Dr Laurence Lasselle, from the University of St Andrews School of Management, organised an online symposium called 'Democratising the urban city through education theory, policy and practice', which was held in February 2021. Her co-organiser was Dr Deborah Ralls, from the University of Manchester School of Education.
The event was for European Educational Research Association's Network 14 (EERA Network 14), which focusses on communities, families and schooling in educational research. Dr Lasselle serves as link convenor of EERA Network 14.
The symposium was attended by 43 participants from 22 countries. They gathered to learn more about the findings of an international comparative study which explored how approaches to education can help reconnect urban communities when those approaches use radical forms of engagement between institutions and communities.
The event featured international examples of research and practice. The examples illustrated how cities are attempting to (re)connect communities by viewing education as a lived experience. This process involves developing a shared understanding not only of the connections and implications of individuals’ social situations and experiences, but also of the range and meanings of different situations and experiences.
By bringing together a variety of projects and initiatives, the symposium addressed gaps in policy and research. It illuminated how a place and its communities can become more relational through education theories, policies and practices.
The symposium featured invited speakers:
- José Cano Escribano, Institut Municipal d'Educació de Barcelona
- Arnau Boix, *estel coop and Participatory Process for Teenage Citizens in Barcelona
- Lady Christina de Almeida, UNIPeriferias
(Watch UNIperiferias video about their work with people of the world's peripheries.) - Ana Beatriz da Silva, UNIPeriferias
- Dr Fernando Lannes Fernandes, UNIPeriferias and University of Dundee.
See more on the full symposium activities Padlet.
