Link to Session Platform

Chairs(s):

Nairne Cameron, Algoma University

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Description:

Ecological impacts of humans on the earth are among the most pressing concerns of our generation. Issues such as climate change, soil degradation, water and air pollution, and deforestation paired with increasing social inequalities have devastating effects for all life on the planet. While there have been many efforts to address these challenges, existing solutions tend to work in disciplinary, jurisdictional, and sectoral isolation limiting their ability to impact the structural causes. Across the Global North, universities and colleges in partnership with civil society organizations and communities are engaging in efforts to establish Living Labs by integrating research, teaching and community engagement to advance regenerative social-ecological systems.

Living Labs are collaborative initiatives that aim to address a wide range of complex challenges with a focus on co-creation, innovation, experimentation, and scale. They work with a range of participants for social and environmental change through interdisciplinary, placed-based, experiential learning and action in the built and natural environments. They have been developed across a wide range of sectors and aim to address global concerns such as climate change, expanding inequities and injustices, degradation of living systems, and the degradation of meaningful relationships within and among the human and non-human worlds. Despite the increasing development and use of Living Labs, key knowledge and practice gaps exist and calls remain for additional research and reflection. Addressing these knowledge gaps is essential if Living Labs are to make meaningful contributions towards co-creating a healthy, sustainable, and just transition.

Non-Presenting Participants Agenda