SXSW EDU: Education Trends and Resistance in a Changing Political Landscape
I visited Austin, Texas, for SXSW EDU - a conference where educators, authors, researchers, and changemakers converge. As a Learning Developer at Berghs, I'm always seeking insights on pedagogical methods, AI strategies, and connections to communication. With the USA's new leadership challenging the education sector, I was curious about the conference atmosphere. Several themes emerged across the program.
Activism Endures
While the new political situation was acknowledged in most sessions, I observed quiet resistance rather than open protests. The current administration aims to dismantle the Department of Education, cut research funding, and ban DEI initiatives. Yet, conversations with participants revealed a sense of community and solution-oriented approaches.
The Center for Love & Justice stood out, supporting schools in designing more inclusive institutions. They promote "Joyzistance" - "a state of regenerative joy sourced from sacred purposes to resist stagnation and regression."
Jose Luis Cruz Rivera, president of Northern Arizona University, shared his creative approach to inclusivity by redesigning application processes and building pathways for students through preparatory school collaborations. He noted: "With current politics, the absence of rules gives us freedom to innovate without resistance." Read the article here.
AI's Uncertain Path
AI-themed sessions were consistently packed. A multitude of apps and systems offer AI support for teachers, but common frameworks are lacking - everyone seems to be taking different approaches.
Researcher Shilpi Agarwal, formerly of Stanford and now with DataEthics4All Foundation, predicts schools will soon run local LLM models with course-specific AI support, including chatbots, quizzes, and study aids. This addresses both climate concerns and content security issues.
Futurist Sinead Bovell emphasized student safety while advocating for continued AI experimentation. She believes we haven't yet seen AI's full potential in education and need to redesign the entire educational ecosystem. Here is her talk.
At Berghs, we're actively educating our staff through initiatives like Berghs Unconference:AI.
Skill building for Tomorrow
Educational institutions must bridge the widening gap between academic learning and workplace needs. Multiple panels highlighted the necessity of strengthening creative abilities - an area where Berghs excels through industry partnerships and real-world projects.
Social investor Harold Hughes argues that young people must "go deep in the T" - a concept where the vertical bar of the letter T represents developing specialized expertise in one area, while the horizontal bar represents having broader knowledge across multiple fields. Hughes believes that experts who build networks with other specialists will create dynamic teams, while generalists without deep expertise in any particular area may lose ground as AI advances. The T-shaped professional model combines depth in a specialty with the ability to collaborate across disciplines.
Anne-Laure Le Cunff, author and neuroscientist behind Tiny Experiments and Ness Labs, has developed models to help students build resilience and creativity by changing habits. Her work demonstrates how we can support students in developing crucial mindsets for the future.
Storytelling as Resistance
SXSW EDU keynote speakers consistently incorporated personal narratives to connect emotionally with audiences. Science journalist Emily Callandrelli shared her challenging journey to becoming a woman leading science TV programs, culminating in her creating independent content when faced with industry barriers. Join Emily Calandrelli in the Keynote Screening.
The Legal Defense Fund demonstrated storytelling as a legal strategy in a discrimination case involving students suspended for wearing dreadlocks. By highlighting the cultural significance of African-American hairstyles through expert testimony and personal stories, they won their case and subsequently launched The Crown Act to combat hair-based discrimination.
A final example: in Vermont, following Vice President Vance's ski trip to Sugarbush Mountain, a snow report writer posted about the national park's inclusive values regarding refugees and LGBTQ communities - values opposed by the current administration that has cut support for national parks. She lost her job for speaking out.
Written by Patrik Hambreus