Education for participation - philosophizing back to a 'new' life after acquired brain injury
The research project "Education for participation - philosophizing back a 'new' life after acquired brain injury", funded by the Swedish Research Council, studies philosophical conversations as a method for people with acquired brain injuries to develop social and cognitive abilities.
People with acquired brain injuries, i.e. injuries sustained in childhood, adolescence or adulthood caused by, for example, accidents, strokes or infections, are a marginalized group in society. At the same time, according to a published report by the National Board of Health and Welfare, it is a growing group. Regardless of age, an acquired brain injury can have major consequences for the person affected and their family. Such an injury can have physical, psychological and social consequences, and can affect a person's cognition, emotions, behavior and personality, often leading to difficulties in communicating, studying, working and being active in their free time. The need for training after medical rehabilitation is high, but training opportunities are very few. There is a need to re-develop previous and develop new linguistic, social and cognitive abilities and skills in order to return to a functioning life in society, a life that is perceived by many as a new life.
The effects of philosophical conversations with children are well studied internationally. Research has shown that they have positive consequences for the development of communication, social and democratic skills as well as for the development of critical thinking and other cognitive abilities. Developing these skills and abilities is of great importance for many people with acquired brain injuries, as shown in our research team's previous research. However, there are no studies, except for this research group's studies, of how this pedagogical method can be used in education for people with acquired brain injuries, although there is reason to believe that it would have similar effects in this context.
Our research consists of studying philosophical conversations as a pedagogical method for people with acquired brain injuries. The purpose is to study the extent to which the method contributes to the participants' development of skills and abilities that are central to their active participation in society. Philosophical discussions have been held with two groups under the guidance of discussion leaders from the university. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative data have been collected through observations, tests and interviews before and after the interventions and in the control group.
The research group
Gardelli, Åsa - Senior Professor, Head of the Special Education Program
Backman, Ylva - Associate Professor
Gardelli, Teodor - PhD student
Gardelli, Viktor - Senior Lecturer
Gardelli, Caroline - Associate Senior Lecturer
Jacobsson, Lars - Adjunct Senior Lecturer
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