Grand Challenges and Opportunities

Reimagining Sustainable Democracies

In a moment defined by ecological crisis, social/political fragmentation, and institutional fatigue, Reimagining Sustainable Democracies invites educators to grapple with the limits—and latent possibilities—of civic life as we know it. Rather than preserving systems that have often excluded, extracted, and oppressed, this 4-part series explores how we might collectively dismantle harmful structures and seed practices rooted in care, reciprocity, and plurality.

Each part will surface questions about knowledge, identity, governance, and responsibility through a lens shaped by inclusive knowledge systems. Participants will reflect critically on the inherited frameworks—systems thinking, cultural narratives, collective decision-making, and educator agency—that have shaped dominant democratic practices, and ask: What must we let go of to build something better?

Educators/leaders will engage with alternative civic imaginaries and relational pedagogies that move beyond inclusion into the realm of transformation. This is not a return to normal, but a call to compost the present in order to nourish more just and livable futures.

Part 1: Knowing Otherwise — Systems, Information & Power

Part 1 will begin by examining the architectures of knowledge production and dissemination. Participants will explore systems-thinking as a tool not only to analyze complexity, but to challenge assumptions about neutrality, credibility, and authority.

As emerging technologies—from algorithmic curation to generative AI—reshape how information is created, circulated, and trusted, we will consider their impact on learning, public discourse, and justice. Together, we’ll interrogate the construction of “facts,” the politically polarizing nature of truth, and the cultural dynamics of misinformation and disinformation.

Moderator:

Anthony B. Maddox, Professor of Clinical Education and Engineering

Panelists:

Corinne Hyde, Professor of Clinical Education, ��̳
Robert Medrano, Program Director at Teach Democracy, ��̳
Nicole Mirra, Associate Professor and Faculty Director of the Teacher Education Program, UCLA School of Education & Information Studies

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Part 2: Shaping Stories for Authentic Connection Across Differences

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Series Planning Committee:

Atheneus Ocampo Associate Professor of Clinical Education

Eric Canny Assistant Teaching Professor of Education

Corinne Hyde Professor of Clinical Education

Paula M. Carbone Professor of Clinical Education

Grand Challenges and Opportunities 2024/2025 Series

Series : Reimagining Mental Health and Wellness in Education

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Mental health and well-being are consistently at the top of concerns and challenges for educators, staff and students. Since the height of COVID-19 these issues have risen in severity across society, and data show they have worsened each year. Rossier School of Education’s 6-part series on reimagining learning for mental health and well-being will bring together experts from Rossier, USC and the broader community to tackle challenges of increased social isolation, heightened tensions among people with differing thoughts, and rising burnout among people in the educational field. During the fall semester, discussions will focus on amplifying research and practice in K-12, postsecondary, and informal learning spaces that highlight human-centric approaches within learning environments. In the spring semester, we turn attention to reimagining the well-being of educators, practitioners and administrators, who serve as a support for students’ mental health and burnout, through human-centric approaches.

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PART 6: Cultivating Systemic Wellness: Perspectives of Administrators & Leaders

Additional Resources

Well-being on a systemic level requires leadership that understands the interconnectedness of individuals, organizations, and communities. This session examines the role of administrators and leaders in fostering holistic wellness across varied learning contexts. Panelists will explore the broader implications of systemic well-being, focusing on how leadership practices, cultural dynamics, technological advancements, and structural innovations can create sustainable environments that promote well-being.