Translocal learning approach: A new form of collective learning for sustainability

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to theoretically propose translocal learning approach as a new form of collective learning for sustainability. The main purpose of translocal learning is to create an iterative learning space to obtain new ideas and perspectives that can aid practitioners, researchers, and residents realize alternative interpretations of their communities. In practice, translocal learning is typically organized in the form of joint fieldwork, where participants come from diverse backgrounds and localities to join a set of fieldwork activities. This approach is inspired by sustainability discourse and the social learning theory. While the existing literature on social learning typically employs a single-boundary setting, the translocal learning approach applies a multiple-boundary setting. The authors organized an initial joint fieldwork program for their ongoing translocal learning research project, and three key features of the translocal learning approach were identified. First, the joint fieldwork created a collective learning space that accommodated unique interpretations of findings. This space encouraged the participants to consider alternative concepts, such as different meanings of rurality or drivers of entrepreneurship, as theoretical lenses to re-interpret how they view their own localities. Second, translocal learning was found to be effective in generating interdisciplinary dialog during reflection sessions. The participants were required to be epistemologically agile to remain open to others’ perspectives when discussing findings. Third, translocal learning was found to be a useful approach to discuss socially robust knowledge. This is because the participants were well exposed to the communication between the coordinators and residents throughout the joint fieldwork, which managed the expectations and quality of engagement with the local community. Additional empirical investigations are necessary to examine the effectiveness of the translocal learning approach. Further rounds of joint fieldwork in different locations also need to be organized by future research to validate this approach as a way of collective learning for sustainability.