Stories of hope, imagination, and transformative learning: A dialogue

Abstract

This article focuses on imagination and the role it can play in bringing about transformation. Through telling stories of feminist activism and teaching, we consider how imagination can extend our understanding of transformative learning. We examine how creative expression and various art forms have enabled imagination and consider the conditions needed to support such processes. We bring attention to the central role of imagination and hope in movements for social justice.

The 7 Cardinal Sins of Transformative Learning Scholarship

“…It would not make sense, for example, to describe Mezirow’s 10 phase process of transformation and his lynchpin learning processes of critical dialog and critical self-reflection, and then focus on emotional, imaginative, arts-based, or spiritual approaches to transformative learning, as the latter propose completely different processes of transformation. And, numerous other scholars have provided theoretical lenses for such perspectives (see for instance: Butterwick & Lawrence, 2023; Tisdell, 2023). We need to cite the applicable theoretical sources of our particular research lens rather than point to Mezirow and then talk about something completely different.…”

Working the Paradox with Dorothy Smith

“…8With colleague and friend Randee Lawrence, I wrote about this experience, exploring the role of imagination in transformative learning (seeButterwick & Lawrence, 2023). 9Paz Buttedahl taught the ALE diploma course I took as an unclassified student.…”