Researching Imagination

CIRCE’s members are involved in a wide range of research initiatives aimed at better understanding imagination and its impact on our lives. That research is embedded in practice and in communities–it is experiential and participatory*. Part of our vision is to share that research with our members. We are also eager to collaborate with our members to learn from and support their research. As we expand our networks and make CIRCE a platform to connect and share across time zones and disciplines, that research will be shared here.

*We have created a “research” section that is distinct from “practice” with the intention of providing background knowledge and support for your inquiries into imagination in the former and sharing real-world applications of knowledge on imagination in the latter. But we acknowledge the difficulties in separating the two! We recognize the knowledge that is developed through our practices in classrooms and communities.

DOCTORAL RESEARCH

Cant, A. (2016). Unswaddling pedagogy: Imagining a new beginning to the practice of Imaginative Education. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada. (Published here in 2017)

Chodakowski, A. (2009). Teaching made wonderful:  Redesigning teacher education with imagination in mind. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada. 

Corbett, R.D. (2011). An exploration of the school’s role in moral development. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.   

Coulter, D. (1994). Dialogism and teacher research. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

Egan, K. (1972). Myth and history. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Cornell University, USA.

Fleming, D. (1987). From fantasy to reality: An implementation of Egan’s theory of educational development. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Monash University. Melbourne, Australia.

Hagen, P. (2015). Listening to students: A study of elementary students’ engagement in mathematics through the lens of Imaginative Education. Unpublished PhD Thesis. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

Hammond, D. L. (1998). Essaying irony, by indirections. Unpublished PhD Thesis. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. 

Judson, G. (2008). Imaginative ecological education.  Unpublished PhD Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada. (Published here  in 2010)

McKellar, R. (2006). Opening the doors to dreamland:  Developing literacy and engagement through Imaginative Education. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada. 

Mikulan, P. (2017). Pedagogy without bodies. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Burnaby: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada.

Schulz, R. (2010). On the way to a philosophy of science. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada.

Stewart, K. (2014). Teaching the media with mouse woman: Adventures in Imaginative Education. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada.

Waddington, T. (2015). Chasing the existential ironic. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada.

Warburton, J. M. (1995). Reasoned possibility: The role of imaginative thinking in education with particular reference to the 15-18 year old learning. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada.

Wiens, J. R. (2000). Hannah Arendt and education: Educational leadership and civic humanism. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada.

MA RESEARCH

Cant, A. (1999). Using fantasy to enhance young children’s development and education. Unpublished Masters Thesis.  Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada.

Chaney, N. (2012). What matters:  Teaching and metaphor.  Unpublished Masters Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada.

Lawson, J.A. (1996). An exploration of the relationship between children’s spirituality and the curriculum. Unpublished MA Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada.

Sitka-Sage, M. (Formerly Derby). (2014). Education and the mycelial matrix of critical eco-hermeneutics or eat & be eaten, mean & be meaning. Unpublished Masters Thesis. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada. (Published here in 2016)

MEd Action Research

A wide range of Action Research projects have been conducted by educators from Simon Fraser University’s Masters of Education Imaginative Education graduate programssince 2002. Explore those on here.

National Science Foundation Research Project (2018-2022)

Collaborative Research: Design and Development of Transmedia Narrative Based Curricula to Engage Children in NGSS and Engineering Design

Principal Investigators: Glenn Ellis, Al Rudnitsky and Beth McGinnis-Cavanaugh

$2,500,622 (Combined amount for Smith College and Springfield Technical Community College)

Learn More:

NSF Research Abstract (2018-2022)

Ellis, G. W., & Huff, I., & Rudnitsky, A., & McGinnis-Cavanaugh, B., & Ellis, S. K. (2018, June), Engaging Children in Design Thinking Through Transmedia Narrative (RTP) Paper presented at 2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Salt Lake City, Utah. https://peer.asee.org/30395

National Science Foundation Research Project (2012-2018)

Full Scale Development: Collaborative Research – Using Narrative in a Digital Learning Environment to Engage Children and Teens in Engineering 

Principal Investigators: Glenn Ellis, Al Rudnitsky and Beth McGinnis-Cavanaugh

$2,999,874 (Combined amount for Smith College and Springfield Technical Community College)

Learn More:

Website for educators: www.teamthroughmywindow.org

Outcomes Report (2012-2018 Research project)

Ellis, G. W., & Rudnitsky, A., & McGinnis-Cavanaugh, B., & Huff, I., & Ellis, S. K. (2015, June), Designing a Multimedia Learning Environment that Engages Children Through Narrative Paper presented at 2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Seattle, Washington. 10.18260/p.23813

Ellis, G.W., Pina, J., Mazur, R., Rudnitsky, A., McGinnis-Cavanaugh, B., Huff, I., Ellis, S., Ford, C.M., Lytton, K., and Cormier, K.C. (2020) Developing Transmedia Engineering Curricula using Cognitive Tools to Impact Learning and the Development of STEM Identity (RTP), Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Virtual Conference, June 22-26.

Community-University Research Alliances, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2003-2008)

Learning for Understanding Through Culturally Inclusive Imaginative Development (LUCID): Building Inclusive Schools through Imaginative Education

Principal investigator: Mark Fettes

$1,010,420 (Combined amount for initial Letter of Intent $17,500 and project funding $992,920)

Learn More

LUCID Mid-Term Report (2006)

LUCID Final Report (2014)

Nielsen, T. (2010). Lost in Translation? Rethinking First Nation’s Education Through LUCID Insights, International Review of Education, 56(4) , pp. 411-433.

Pearson, G. (2010) Imaginative Education Engaging Aboriginal Learners in Prince Rupert, Education Canada, pp. 26-29.