An exploration of future trends in environmental education research

Abstract

This article describes future trends in environmental education (EE) research based on a mixed-methods study where data were collected through a content analysis of peer-reviewed articles published in EE journals between 2005 and 2010; interviews with experts engaged in EE research and sustainability-related fields; surveys with current EE researchers; and convenings with EE researchers and practitioners. We discuss four core thematic findings: (1) EE researchers are highlighting the importance of collective and community learning and action; (2) EE researchers are placing increased emphasis on the intersection of learning within the context of social–ecological communities (e.g. links between environmental quality and human well-being); (3) a pressing need exists for research conducted with urban and diverse populations; and (4) research around social media and other information technologies is of great interest, yet currently is sparse.

Keywords:

• environmental education research
• research agenda
• mixed methods
• interviews
• content analysis
• global trends

Acknowledgements

Generous support for this study was provided by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. We appreciate the anonymous reviewers’ thoughtful comments, which improved this paper’s quality. We are grateful for the data collection and analysis support provided by Sandi Evans, Alice Fu, Gina Lappé, Jess McNally, Christy Merrick, and Deb Wojcik. We appreciate the input of many colleagues, especially Bob Stevenson as well as those at the Eleventh Invitational Research Seminar, on early conceptualizations of this paper.

Notes

1. Interviewees included, but were not limited to, editors or co-editors from the following journals: Australian Journal of Environmental Education; Canadian Journal of Environmental Education; Children, Youth, and Environments; Environmental Education Research; International Journal of Science Education; Journal of Environmental Education; Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability; and Southern African Journal of Environmental Education.

2. Dedoose was developed by Professors Thomas Weisner and Eli Lieber from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).

3. The researchers also co-hosted two additional convenings with EE practitioners – one in Washington, DC, USA, with national-level practitioners, and one in San Francisco, California, USA, with regional practitioners. The research questions described in this article were presented at both convenings and data were collected related to EE research questions of greatest interest to practitioners in the next 5–10 years.

4. We report on findings from these analyses and other findings from the survey data in (Ardoin, and Wojcik in review).

5. The percentage sums to greater than 100% as respondents were asked to select all applicable categories.