Deirdre Hogan is co-ordinator of the Ubuntu Network, an Irish Aid funded strategic partnership that supports the integration of Global Citizenship Education into post primary Initial Teacher Education in Ireland. She has held this role since 2006 and her work centres on building capacity of educators to critically explore and engage with key global development issues of our time. Deirdre holds a Degree in Science Education, a Higher Diploma in Systems Analysis and a Master of Education by research focusing on the nature of Science as an academic discipline and implications for integrating Education for Sustainable Development into its teaching. She is based in the School of Education at the University of Limerick.

Joanne O’Flaherty is an Associate Professor at the School of Education, University of Limerick and Research Lead for the Ubuntu Network (www.ubuntu.ie). She has a primary degree in Physical Education and English. Joanne has worked in a variety of educational settings, including the formal post-primary sector and the NGO sector, before joining the University of Limerick faculty. Her research interests include teacher preparation, social justice education and social and emotional learning and she has published in these areas.

We discuss the Ubuntu network and Deirdre’s and Joanne’s roles in the Ubuntu network. The Ubuntu Network, established in 2006 with Irish Aid funding, promotes global citizenship education in post-primary teacher education. The network focuses on curriculum integration, teacher capacity building, research, and advocacy. Deirdre and Joanne emphasize the importance of self-awareness and critical reflection in education and stress the need for continuous learning and collaboration among educators. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of global citizenship education, the challenges of integrating it into curricula, and the potential impact of AI on educational practices. 

Deirdre emphasizes the strong link between sociology and the Ubuntu Network, highlighting the importance of exploring societal issues and understanding their implications while Joanne adds that the Ubuntu Network values community and collaboration, and that global citizenship education is not a single disposition but a constantly evolving field. They both discuss the importance of dialogue and shared practice within the Ubuntu Network.

Joanne discusses the importance of research in the Ubuntu Network, particularly the "Céim study" examining how global citizenship education is conceptualized at policy, school, and practitioner levels. She also mentions a research study on self-awareness and personal development in global citizenship education, emphasizing the importance of reflective practice and community support.

Joanne highlights the relevance of critical global citizenship education and the importance of understanding local and global interconnectedness while Deirdre emphasizes the importance of understanding worldviews and positionality in addressing issues of equality and justice.

Both guests reflect on the challenges of addressing complex issues like immigration, far-right narratives, and the climate crisis through education and the potential and challenges of integrating AI, particularly generative AI, into global citizenship education. Joanne shares her experience of using AI tools in her work and the importance of upskilling to leverage AI effectively. Deirdre emphasizes the need for educators to be aware of the online spaces that propagate misinformation and the role of AI in navigating this landscape. The guests highlight the potential divide in access to AI resources and the importance of fact-checking and critical thinking. 

A really informative, engaging and very thought provoking episode.