Lunch Hour Lecture: Object-based learning and wellbeing: a case for slow and authentic education

In an ever more connected and digital world we tend to assume that information is available at the press of a button. However, what such instant content cannot provide is deep understanding and personal meaning making. For this to happen, a slow and more intense engagement is required. In this lecture I will argue that material culture, and in particular heritage and museum collections, are ideally suited to create opportunities for such slow learning and meaning making. As an increasing body of research demonstrates, such authentic and experiential engagements do not only have educational benefits but can also help to support human wellbeing. The lecture will present some of this research, which will form the basis for a new and innovative Masters programme at UCL East, alongside a number of practical case studies. It will be followed by several practical object handling workshops at the Grant Museum of Zoology (separate booking required). Speaker: Dr Thomas Kador is Teaching Fellow in Public and Cultural Engagement at UCL Culture. Date: 4 June 2019 UCL's popular public Lunch Hour Lecture series has been running at UCL since 1942, and showcases the exceptional research work being undertaken across UCL. Lectures are free and open to all.