Embodied Learning Processes in Activism

Authors

  • Lara Drew University of Canberra

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56105/cjsae.v27i1.3410

Keywords:

Embodied Learning, Situated Learning, Activism, Direct Action, Social Movement Learning, Animal Liberation

Abstract

In this paper, I employ narrative method to explore the learning processes of adult activists engaged in activism. Drawing on the story of one animal activist I explain the embodied learning processes in a direct action environment. I explore how emotions and the body interplay with learning, which moves beyond a purely cognitive or rational lens of learning which privileges the mind. Importantly, I show the ways in which affect, feelings, emotions and the body are saturated and situated in direct action learning spaces and places. These emotions, sensory and kinaesthetic bodily dynamics encourage a rethink of learning processes that are generally conceptualised as head-based or disembodied. It is argued that embodiment implicates a ‘see-feel-learn’ sequence rather than a rational process of ‘analyse-think-change’ encouraging us to rethink the nature of learning processes in direct action activism.

Author Biography

Lara Drew, University of Canberra

Lara Drew is a PhD Student and Staff Member at the University of Canberra, Australia.

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Published

2014-11-15

How to Cite

Drew, L. (2014). Embodied Learning Processes in Activism. Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education, 27(1), 83–101. https://doi.org/10.56105/cjsae.v27i1.3410