Developing an equitable agenda for international capacity strengthening courses: environmental pedagogies and knowledge co-production in the Philippines

Mitchell, D., Laurie, E. W. , Williams, R. D. , Fryirs, K. A., Brierley, G. J. and Tolentino, P. L.M. (2023) Developing an equitable agenda for international capacity strengthening courses: environmental pedagogies and knowledge co-production in the Philippines. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, (doi: 10.1080/03098265.2023.2235668) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Capacity strengthening activities – be that in the form of courses, workshops, seminars – have become embedded in research projects as a requirement for funding and as a means for researchers to demonstrate positive societal impacts. We apply qualitative research techniques including interviews, questionnaires and observations to scrutinise and document an international capacity strengthening course aimed at informing and supporting environmental management practice and policy in the Philippines. We appraise power gradients and dynamics between course instructors and participants from different cultures and geographical locations in the design and delivery of this course. We identify five key factors that course instructors should consider as part of their pedagogy: (i) active learning, (ii) knowledge scaffolding and consolidation, and (iii) situated learning, as well as being attuned to (iv) the language dynamics and (v) expertise and networking within the room when teaching the course. Practical efforts to address these issues require that instructors work with participants to co-produce knowledge, rather than assuming epistemic authority and imposing knowledge. This entails reflexive and adaptable practices before, during and after the course. It is recommended that such practices should be central to projects that include capacity strengthening activities, whether delivered locally or internationally.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Williams, Professor Richard and Laurie, Dr Emma and Mitchell, Mr Douglas and Tolentino, Miss Pammie
• Authors: Mitchell, D., Laurie, E. W., Williams, R. D., Fryirs, K. A., Brierley, G. J., and Tolentino, P. L.M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Research Centre: Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC) > Global Sustainable Development
• Journal Name: Journal of Geography in Higher Education
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0309-8265
• ISSN (Online): 1466-1845
• Published Online: 25 July 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Geography in Higher Education 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
303063		Catchment susceptibility to hydrometeorological events: sediment flux and geomorphic change as drivers of flood risk in the Philippines	Richard Williams	Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)	NE/S003312/1	GES - Geography