Research Seminar - Creativity, PISA and Art at the end of the World

This talk juxtaposes two powerful cultural forces seemingly in tension with each other in Australia today. The first is the National Cultural Policy REVIVE. The second is the government’s response to emergency-level teacher shortages and an inability to retain the ones we have – led by what is known as the TEEP Report, “Strong Beginnings”, which advocates for direct instruction of literacy and numeracy in all teacher training and schools. 

This talk recognises that these kinds of cultural flashpoints are periodic, not unique, and while the particulars of ours may be specific to this time and place, we have much to learn from our elders who have weathered their own storms before us. I draw on the work of John Dewey, Maxine Greene, and Canadian research-creation scholar Natalie Loveless, to explore some intersectional possibilities of going forward with care, community, and love.  

Bio: Daniel X. Harris (they/them) is a Research Professor in the School of Education, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, and Co-Director of Creative Agency research centre: www.creativeresearchhub.com . Harris is editor of the book series Creativity, Education and the Arts (Palgrave), and has authored, co-authored or edited 22 books and over 150 books and articles as well as plays, films and spoken word performances. Their research focuses on creativity studies, cultural, sexual and gender diversities, and on the power of collaborative creative practice and social justice research to inform social change.