CitSciOz23: Changing the World for Good? Mapping Adult Environmental Education SA - Matilda Raynes

Changing the World for Good? Mapping the Long-Term Impact of Adult Environmental Education Programs in South Australia
Authors:
Matilda Raynes, University of South Australia (Presenter)
Dr. Keri Hopeward, University of South Australia
Assoc. Prof. James Hopeward, University of South Australia
Dr. Anne Souvertjis, University of South Australia
Prof. Delene Weber, University of South Australia
This research is part of a larger research project, Living Lightly Locally: SMARTer and Stronger through Citizen Science. Where conventional Citizen Science programs typically focus on large quantitative data sets, ‘Living Lightly Locally’ is interested in smaller, more qualitative data sets of stories of change over time. Similarly, ‘Changing the World for Good’, aims to explore if and how adult-orientated Education for Environment and Sustainability (ESE) facilitates long-term outcomes and systemic impact. Living Smart (administered by Green Adelaide) and Australian Red Cross Climate-Ready Communities are focal case studies for the research.
This research is driven by the current gap in understanding of the impact of these types of programs on fostering lasting change. Data on long-term outcomes (three months or more post-program) and systemic impact, are still underrepresented in literature. These outcomes and impacts are often unexpected, ambiguous and difficult to measure.
This research addresses this gap by examining case studies of ESE programs, framed by two research questions. The first focuses on uncovering long-term outcomes and impact of adult ESE programs in South Australia (and beyond). This includes exploring individual, social, community, environmental and political outcomes. The second explores barriers and enablers that influence how participants and facilitators continue with making and sustaining changes, post-program. Inspired by a previous study (Morrissey 2017), the research draws from Dart’s (2009) ‘Performance Story Reporting’ evaluation approach, exploring program impact through the collection of stories of change. Additionally, mapping techniques are used to explore systemic impact, alongside semi-structured interviews, online questionnaires and focus groups with program experts, facilitators and past participants. Stories of change and fundamental themes are revealed through Thematic Narrative Data Analysis.
This research provides insight into ESE program impact, offering direction and recommendations for future program development and evaluation for ‘Living Lightly Locally’ and similar programs.