OLEKSANDRA KHALAIM // ENLIGHT BIP-COURSE COORDINATOR// UPPSALA UNIVERSITY

»Changing the way humans tackle problems« 

Are serious games and theatre techniques needed in higher education if we are to tackle global challenges? Dr. Oleksandra Khalaim, a teacher and a researcher at Uppsala University’s Campus Gotland and ENLIGHT BIP-course coordinator, thinks so.

There always seems to be something going on in your life, Oleksandra. You are originally from Moldova, earned your PhD in Environmental Science in Kyiv, Ukraine, before moving to Sweden on a Post-doc scholarship. Now, your focus is on sustainibility transformative learning, you are running a research project, teaching at several different master’s programmes, and creating new collaborative courses within the ENLIGHT university alliance. All this, while being an outdoor enthusiast. What is driving you?

OLEKSANDRA: I think our society needs to change the way we tackle problems. We need to learn how new ways can help to navigate through the wicked problems humanity faces, from global climate change to military conflicts and social inequality. I think we need to, through education, induce transformative actions for sustainable development.

Can we?

OLEKSANDRA: I think so. By engaging in impactful learning experiences, we can help change mindsets. In my teaching, I use innovative educational tools that encourage a co-creation approach to learning. Serious games and theatre techniques, for example.

Changing teaching methods in higher education is not a one-person job, it takes collaboration.

In your most recent research project, you directly address a pressing contemporary issue. Tell us more about that.

OLEKSANDRA: "Balancing the Climate and Mental Health Threats: Climate Anxiety Identification in Higher Education Institutions” is a three-year project that aims to identify climate anxiety among students and lecturers in sustainability-related fields and develop procedural recommendations for the university and Student Health Services to tackle this. It aligns with my educational philosophy, emphasising the need for change in how challenges are approached.

You are also leading an educational project among the teachers at Uppsala University Campus Gotland. What is that about?

OLEKSANDRA: The project is called “While playing to change the world: theatre and gaming techniques in sustainability teaching”. It simply introduces methods like the ones I use to teach other teachers in the community. Changing teaching methods in higher education is not a one-person job, it takes collaboration. And this is why I think ENLIGHT is important. ENLIGHT provides an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded academics across Europe. It is a vibrant community of practice.”  

ENLIGHT is helping us plant educational seeds for a sustainable future by empowering educators to address the most critical challenges of our time.

You are coordinating one of ENLIGHT’s Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) courses, “Adapting to Climate Change: Ecosystem Services of Urban Green Zones”. What is the difference compared to a “normal” course at Uppsala University?

OLEKSANDRA: This course brings together international students from the ten ENLIGHT universities, including lectures from the University of Tartu in Estonia, Uppsala municipality and Uppsala University in Sweden, the University of the Basque Country in Spain, the Davey Institute in the USA, and the University of Galway in Ireland. With our different contexts as backdrop, we explore urban greenery and its role in climate change mitigation and microclimate formation in urban settings. The BIP courses offer numerous opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange around sustainability topics.”

On a more personal note, what do you like to do outside of work?

I’m an avid climber and outdoor enthusiast. I am also a scout leader in a Scout club in Visby, and currently studying at the local sailing school.

What is the future of ENLIGHT, in your eyes?

OLEKSANDRA: ENLIGHT is helping us plant educational seeds for a sustainable future by empowering educators to address the most critical challenges of our time. It’s an exciting journey. I hope the collaboration will grow. I am involved in an initiative of co-designing a Joint Bachelor's Programme on Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities led by the University of the Basque Country, in collaboration with Uppsala University and University of Groningen. We hope to host the program at Uppsala University Campus Gotland.

If you were to recommend ENLIGHT to a colleague, what would you say?

OLEKSANDRA: The best thing about working within the ENLIGHT network is that it helps me connect with like-minded academics in other countries and fosters collaboration.