Motivating response/ability towards the ecological emergency

This workshop will be facilitated by the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture’s Ecological Emergency and Response/Ability working group. We will begin by sharing the results from a study we conducted on campus about the role emotions play in motivating people towards engagement in climate action. Our qualitative research study asks a) what motivates university students, staff and faculty to engage in climate action initiatives, b) how do students an faculty engaged in cimate action cope with their feelings around climate change, and c) how emotions support motivation or detract motivation from engaging in climate change initiatives. The workshop will then continue with a series of arts-based experiential exercises that encourage attendees’ reflection about their own climate emotions and climate related coping skills. The main objectives for this workshop are : 1- to normalize and validate climate emotions 2- to create a space for introspection around climate emotions and coping skills (this space will be facilitated through experiential exercises that draw from the working group’s expertise in the creative arts therapies) 3- to facilitate a collective exploration around the motivation and barriers for participation in climate initiatives.

Workshop facilitators

Jessica Bleuer is a Drama Therapist and psychotherapist, and professor at Concordia University where she uses her research and teaching to address climate distress and the intersections between systemic inequity and mental health.

Bonnie Harnden is a drama therapist, psychoanalyst, couple and family therapist, and professor at Concordia University, where she coordinates the Drama Therapy program and the Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy.

Heather Mclaughlin is an art therapist, psychotherapist and couple and family therapist, and professor at Concordia University, Art Therapy Graduate Program Director, and Director of Concordia Arts in Health Centre. Her research focuses on the climate crisis and the role of Art Therapy in addressing climate emotions and climate action.