The Sustainability Hype: exploring wicked problems through scenario-based role playing

We are accustomed to thinking in habitual ways that fall short of addressing the complex nature of the wicked problems. We face ‘unknown unknowns,’ and need bold, creative, flexible approaches to problem-solving. Embracing... [ view full abstract ]

We are accustomed to thinking in habitual ways that fall short of addressing the complex nature of the wicked problems. We face ‘unknown unknowns,’ and need bold, creative, flexible approaches to problem-solving. Embracing ‘discomfort’, along with a deep and creative engagement with future possibilities, will produce useful and innovative solutions. Participatory scenario and role-playing activities, plus other experiential learning methods have long traditions in the medical, legal, business, and other disciplines. These methods encourage increased metacognitive ability, critical thinking skills, reflexivity, adaptive and transdisciplinary learning skills, systems-thinking comprehension, and ability to navigate wicked problems. They challenge assumptions, consider alternate perspectives, and promote ethical development. Active, participatory learning supports higher levels of engagement, comprehension, and memory retention. Scenarios produce ‘interesting research’: a way of uncovering insights that are not usually evident, and making connections between previously isolated domains. The Sustainability Hypothetical – or “Hype” – is a structured, live, and interactive adaptation of a traditional panel discussion, and lasts approximately 90 minutes. The panel is transdisciplinary, including representatives from environmental agencies, government, academia, the media, industry, activist organisations and more. Each panellist is assigned a role, based on their background and expertise– they must act in character for the session. The session begins with an introduction to a hypothetical future that closely resembles reality. The narrative is developed through a series of escalating ‘pivot points’, applying ethical, political, and practical pressures to the unfolding storyline. The panellists must respond in character. Audience members are active participants in the storyline, contributing via digital media. To conclude, a reflective discussion is facilitated by the host to explore responses and consider how or why certain decisions were made. This engages participants in active and reflexive critical-thinking, creating a personalised learning experience. The Hype is a powerful educational tool and investigative format for normative, anticipatory, and transformative sustainability science research. It is confronting and challenges assumptions and values while being humorous and engaging. This paper presents the Hype structure and theoretical underpinnings, and describes experiences of the Hype to date, highlighting key insights and outcomes from Hypes run with graduate students, sustainability professionals, government officers, environmental activists, social entrepreneurs, and celebrities.

Keywords:

Hypothetical; sustainability science; interactive learning; policy research.