Ivan Illich: deschooling, conviviality and lifelong learning. Known for his critique of modernization and the corrupting impact of institutions, Ivan Illich’s concern with deschooling, learning webs and the disabling effect of professions has struck a chord among many informal educators and pedagogues. We explore some key aspects of his theories and his continuing relevance for informal education, pedagogy and lifelong learning. [The picture of Ivan Illich is reproduced under a CCBY-SA3.0 licence, via Wikimedia Commons].
Naomi Klein: globalization, capitalism, neoliberalism and climate change. Naomi Klein has probably done more than any other commentator, to raise public understanding of the relationships between capitalism, neoliberalism and climate change. Here we explore her contribution.
Pierre Bourdieu: Habitus, capital, and field. Exploring reproduction in the practice of education. Bourdieu’s exploration of how the social order is reproduced, and inequality persists across generations, is more pertinent than ever. We examine some key lessons for educators and pedagogues.
YMCA and the development of informal and youth work education. In this major new piece, Tony Jeffs reflects on the YMCA’s 135-year engagement across the world with the professional education of those working with young people. He examines both the innovations and tensions involved in the growth and experience of different programmes, and the factors that led to the decline of informal and youth work education within the YMCA. This important research is also available to download as a pdf.
updated
Mary Augusta Ward | Mrs Humphry Ward and the Passmore Edwards Settlement. Mary Ward aka Mrs Humphry Ward was one of the best-known writers of her day. She was also a key pioneer in the settlement movement and the development of provisions for children with disabilities and for play. Alongside this, Mary Ward was an advocate for the rights of women, yet she opposed the extension of the right to vote to them. We explore her life and contribution, and the settlement she founded. [updated and extended August 2024]
Frances Herbert Stead, Robert Browning Hall and the fight for old age pensions. Frances Herbert Stead – often referred to as F. Herbert Stead (1857-1928) – was a Congregationalist minister who established and ran Robert Browning Hall and Settlement in Walworth, London). He was also a key figure in the fight for old age pensions in Britain. We explore his contribution both to the development of the settlement movement and to winning the old age pension. [updated and extended July 2024].
Fred Milson: developing the practice of youth and community work. Fred Milson (1912-1983) was an influential writer and trainer who did much to develop youth and community work practice within the Methodist church and the Youth Service generally. He was also an important contributor to national policy debates. The update includes a large amount of additional material about Fred Milson’s life and some updating of the rest of the text. [updated and extended June 2024].
walks
Exploring informal education. Walking in central London we can find many places associated with key figures and moments in the making of informal education. Explore them through a virtual (or real) walk that starts by the river next to Charing Cross Station and ends close to Oxford Street.
Exploring social action. A walk exploring the nature of social action – and the role of settlements, missions and community organizations. The walk starts close to Tower Bridge and ends in Rotherhithe and can also be explored virtually or for real.
Both these walks make use of Charles Booth’s poverty maps (1898-9) and can be compared with a contemporary street map. [Updated September/October 2024]
Acknowledgement: The opening image is by Daniel Posthuma-255479 from Unsplash – santa tacla/