3. Contemplative Pedagogy

Abstract

This paper addresses the emerging movement of contemplative pedagogy in higher education with an emphasis on academic librarianship. The authors posit how integrating mindfulness-based practices into pedagogy and programming builds resilience in students, creating meaning in an age of climate disruption, information overload and uncertain times. Examples of librarians' relevant professional development activities are also included. Library spaces offering mindfulness opportunities for students are explored and a contemplative-oriented, campus-wide collaboration centered on climate disruption is featured. Selected Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda are touched on, demonstrating how contemplative approaches in academic libraries support wellbeing, justice, community building and concern for the fate of the earth.

The Social Mission of Academic Libraries in Higher Education

“…Librarians have also responded to the global movement to decolonise HE by using critical race theory to audit and review academic reading lists(Crilly, Panesar & Suka-Bill 2020) and to develop academic skills and IL workshops on Decolonising Research Methods and Open Access for Resistance Researching(Clarke 2020). Contemplative pedagogy is a nascent practice among US librarians stressing reflection and critical thinking, which has been linked to both sustainable development and critical librarianship movements(Charney & Colvin 2018;Duffy, Rose-Wiles & Loesch 2021).…”