OUR BACKGROUND
Climate change threatens human and planetary health.
Science has demonstrated the obvious solutions - humanity simply needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- but the realization of that solution is impeded by social and political realities, a lack of ecological literacy amongst decision-makers, and often an absence of will on the part of society.The environmental crisis is therefore a cultural crisis, and a sustainable future is only attainable if we culturally transform our entire society.
The Arts play a critical role in creating this change.
Artists and arts organizations have been identified as strong partners in changing culture with a significant influence on the development of cultural norms, but to date there have been very few scholarly works associated with the role that the Arts can play in creating a sustainable future.
This is not a surprise, as scholars and artists are often isolated from each other because of limited opportunities for knowledge exchange, and a lack of common methods for knowledge mobilization.
About The Project
The objectives of the proposed Insight Grant are to:
(1) identify Canadian and global scholars, artists and practitioners working in sustainability and the Arts (SATA);
(2) build knowledge and understanding in the field by conducting a critical analysis of SATA research to date;
(3) contribute to knowledge in the burgeoning field of SATA by examining the challenges and barriers to SATA research and practice in Canada;
(4) support new approaches to research in the interdisciplinary field of SATA by initiating a Delphi study to develop a comprehensive research strategy for SATA scholarship;
(5) cultivate collaborative partnerships and intellectual exchange;
(6) mobilize research knowledge to and from the scholarly and artistic communities engaged in SATA; and
(7) contribute to Canada's initiatives surrounding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and SSHRC's 16 global challenges.