Eco-English: Exploring the potential of secondary English to support sustainability and Climate Change Education, and prepare citizens of the future

This English in Education SIG conference responds to the DfE's 2023 strategy for sustainability and climate education which perpetuates disciplinary boundaries by locating sustainability education in Science, Geography and Citizenship. The possibilities afforded by Arts disciplines – including English and language arts - are not acknowledged. We are concerned that this DfE framing may exacerbate disciplinary separation of approaches to sustainability education, impeding young people’s experiences of learning about climate change and their understanding of it; and thus limit their conceptions of their own potential agency to act.   

The conference offers a forum for English specialists and interested others to consider how sustainability education and related pedagogies can be embedded in English education. What changes to current curricula and practice might be made? What might comprise a truly transformative model of English for sustainability? What unique contribution to sustainability education can English make?

These concerns are of local, national and international importance, and we hope to reflect this significance through conference contributions. The day will include input from the University of East Anglia’s Climate/Creative Group and the University of Bristol Climate Action Group, as well as invited presentations and workshops, including an opportunity to participate in an outside activity in Berkeley Square and to visit a city-centre nature reserve adjacent to the venue.