Environmental education policy research – challenges and ways research might cope with them

Abstract

This essay examines the relationship between research and policy and, more specifically, how researchers might relate to policy work. Given the current international policy focus on climate change, green growth and sustainability in general, it argues for strengthening and widening policy research in the areas of Environmental Education (EE), Education for Sustainable Development and Climate Change Education. It especially makes a case for two kinds of research on EE policy: (1) a multi-sited approach to empirical documentation and theory development which explores the relationships between international policy agreements and local practice, and (2) an interactive policy-engaged approach to research.

Keywords:

• policy
• interactive research
• ESD
• CCE

Notes

1. See the introduction to this review symposium for more information on the IALEI project. The reports are available at http://www.edusud.dk.