Description

Book Synopsis

Education as if people and planet mattered

In Transformative Learning, Satish Kumar reflects on the legacy of Schumacher College, a beacon of innovation that fosters an ecological-based, holistic model of higher education built around the college''s unique learn by doing, head, heart, and hands pedagogy.

Over fifty current and former instructors and alumni, including Vandana Shiva, David Orr, Kate Raworth, Fritjof Capra, Bill McKibben, Mary Evelyn Tucker, and Jonathon Porritt, paint a rich picture of education for human well-being and the ecological health of the planet.

Contributions delve deeply into the nature of transformational learning and holistic education, present a wealth of alumni experiences of working towards an ecological society, and detail the expansion of the Schumacher model to Belgium, Brazil, India, Japan, and beyond.

The result is a rich tapestry of ideas and educational methods packed with insights and experience for practitioners and activists looking to build a just, ecological society.



Table of Contents

Introduction: A New Pedagogy Satish Kumar

Part 1: Education of Head: Science
In the Beginning: Greening of Education - Satish Kumar
An Overview: A Unique Learning Experience - Fritjof Capra
Pedagogy for the Planet: Salt in the Stew - David Orr
Holistic Science: Teaching for Gaia - Stephan Harding
Holistic Science: Transforming Lives - Rupert Sheldrake
Holistic Science: A New Biology - Bruce H. Lipton
Holistic Science: From the Quanta to the Seed - Vandana Shiva
Agriculture: Science in the Service of the Soil - Wes Jackson
Holistic Science: Healing the Divided Brain - Iain McGilchrist

Part 2: Education of Head: Economics
Small Is Beautiful: Buddhist Economics - E. F. Schumacher
Regenerative Economics: New Story - Jonathan Dawson
The Green New Deal: People and Planet Connection - Ann Pettifor
New Economics: Local Is Beautiful - Helena Norberg-Hodge
Meaningful Work: Less Is More - Juliet B. Schor
Blue Economy: Nature Has No Waste - Gunter Pauli
Doughnut Economics: Turning Economics into Art - Kate Raworth
Ecological Design Thinking: Only Connect - Roberto Fraquelli and Mona Nasseri
Other Ways of Knowing: Transition Design - Terry Irwin and Gideon Kossoff

Part 3: Education of Heart
The Climate Crisis: Radical Activism - Bill McKibben
A Green Future: Narratives of Hope - Jonathon Porritt
Fireside Chat: Love for All - Satish Kumar
Ecology and Spirituality: A Polar Star - Mary Evelyn Tucker
Engaged Ecology: A Learning Arc - Andy Letcher
Ecology and Spirituality: A Sense of the Sacred Earth - Matthew Fox
A Celebration: Experiencing Gaia - Peter Reason
Indigenous Wisdom: Sacred Activism - Starhawk
Indigenous Cultures: A Quincentenary in the Old Postern - Charlene Spretnak
Indigenous Wisdom: Creating a Core New Myth - Colin Campbell

Part 4: Education of Hands
Nature and Art: The Big Picture - Susan Derges
Nature and Art: Web of Connections - Chris Drury
The Craft Revolution: The Magic of Making - Lou Rainbow
Gaia's Kitchen: A Rich Mix - Julia Ponsonby
Daily Bread: Simple but Not Easy! - Voirrey Watterson
Nature Is Here - Matt Harvey
Regenerative Horticulture: Learning by Doing - Jane Gleeson
Volunteering: Learning Through Service - Elizabeth Webber
Short Course Program: In Search of Meaning - Jane Hall

Part 5: Schumacher Worldwide
Green Hub, Hong Kong: Learning, Living and Loving - Andrew McAulay
Schumi Learning Garden in China: Right Livelihood - Ying Liang
Escola Schumacher, Brazil: Learning as Encounter - Juliana Schneider
Efecto Mariposa, Colombia: The Gaian Connection - Adriana Puech
Bhoomi College, India: Unity in Diversity - Seetha Ananthasivan
Peace and Permaculture Dojo, Japan: Moved by Love - Kai Sawyer
The Schumacher Sprouts, Belgium: Ne me Quitee Pas... - Sabine Denis

Part 6: Schumacher Alumni Experiences
Shaping Sustainability - Sarah Butler-Sloss
East and West - Nancy Lan Liu
A New Worldview - Tom Rivett-Carnac
Taking the Tree Trunk from Our Eye - Nigel Topping
Community Spirit - Paul Dickinson
A Well-Being Economy - Julia Kim
Lasting Gifts - Emily Ryan
A Home and a Community - Eve Annecke and Fiona Tilley

Part 7: The Future
Flourishing: Regenerative Learning - Pavel Cenkl

Acknowledgments
About the Editors
About New Society Publishers

Transformative Learning

    Product form

    £15.29

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £16.99 – you save £1.70 (10%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 23 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Satish Kumar, Pavel Cenkl

    Out of stock


      View other formats and editions of Transformative Learning by Satish Kumar

      Publisher: New Society Publishers
      Publication Date: 04/05/2021
      ISBN13: 9780865719521, 978-0865719521
      ISBN10: 0865719527

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Education as if people and planet mattered

      In Transformative Learning, Satish Kumar reflects on the legacy of Schumacher College, a beacon of innovation that fosters an ecological-based, holistic model of higher education built around the college''s unique learn by doing, head, heart, and hands pedagogy.

      Over fifty current and former instructors and alumni, including Vandana Shiva, David Orr, Kate Raworth, Fritjof Capra, Bill McKibben, Mary Evelyn Tucker, and Jonathon Porritt, paint a rich picture of education for human well-being and the ecological health of the planet.

      Contributions delve deeply into the nature of transformational learning and holistic education, present a wealth of alumni experiences of working towards an ecological society, and detail the expansion of the Schumacher model to Belgium, Brazil, India, Japan, and beyond.

      The result is a rich tapestry of ideas and educational methods packed with insights and experience for practitioners and activists looking to build a just, ecological society.



      Table of Contents

      Introduction: A New Pedagogy Satish Kumar

      Part 1: Education of Head: Science
      In the Beginning: Greening of Education - Satish Kumar
      An Overview: A Unique Learning Experience - Fritjof Capra
      Pedagogy for the Planet: Salt in the Stew - David Orr
      Holistic Science: Teaching for Gaia - Stephan Harding
      Holistic Science: Transforming Lives - Rupert Sheldrake
      Holistic Science: A New Biology - Bruce H. Lipton
      Holistic Science: From the Quanta to the Seed - Vandana Shiva
      Agriculture: Science in the Service of the Soil - Wes Jackson
      Holistic Science: Healing the Divided Brain - Iain McGilchrist

      Part 2: Education of Head: Economics
      Small Is Beautiful: Buddhist Economics - E. F. Schumacher
      Regenerative Economics: New Story - Jonathan Dawson
      The Green New Deal: People and Planet Connection - Ann Pettifor
      New Economics: Local Is Beautiful - Helena Norberg-Hodge
      Meaningful Work: Less Is More - Juliet B. Schor
      Blue Economy: Nature Has No Waste - Gunter Pauli
      Doughnut Economics: Turning Economics into Art - Kate Raworth
      Ecological Design Thinking: Only Connect - Roberto Fraquelli and Mona Nasseri
      Other Ways of Knowing: Transition Design - Terry Irwin and Gideon Kossoff

      Part 3: Education of Heart
      The Climate Crisis: Radical Activism - Bill McKibben
      A Green Future: Narratives of Hope - Jonathon Porritt
      Fireside Chat: Love for All - Satish Kumar
      Ecology and Spirituality: A Polar Star - Mary Evelyn Tucker
      Engaged Ecology: A Learning Arc - Andy Letcher
      Ecology and Spirituality: A Sense of the Sacred Earth - Matthew Fox
      A Celebration: Experiencing Gaia - Peter Reason
      Indigenous Wisdom: Sacred Activism - Starhawk
      Indigenous Cultures: A Quincentenary in the Old Postern - Charlene Spretnak
      Indigenous Wisdom: Creating a Core New Myth - Colin Campbell

      Part 4: Education of Hands
      Nature and Art: The Big Picture - Susan Derges
      Nature and Art: Web of Connections - Chris Drury
      The Craft Revolution: The Magic of Making - Lou Rainbow
      Gaia's Kitchen: A Rich Mix - Julia Ponsonby
      Daily Bread: Simple but Not Easy! - Voirrey Watterson
      Nature Is Here - Matt Harvey
      Regenerative Horticulture: Learning by Doing - Jane Gleeson
      Volunteering: Learning Through Service - Elizabeth Webber
      Short Course Program: In Search of Meaning - Jane Hall

      Part 5: Schumacher Worldwide
      Green Hub, Hong Kong: Learning, Living and Loving - Andrew McAulay
      Schumi Learning Garden in China: Right Livelihood - Ying Liang
      Escola Schumacher, Brazil: Learning as Encounter - Juliana Schneider
      Efecto Mariposa, Colombia: The Gaian Connection - Adriana Puech
      Bhoomi College, India: Unity in Diversity - Seetha Ananthasivan
      Peace and Permaculture Dojo, Japan: Moved by Love - Kai Sawyer
      The Schumacher Sprouts, Belgium: Ne me Quitee Pas... - Sabine Denis

      Part 6: Schumacher Alumni Experiences
      Shaping Sustainability - Sarah Butler-Sloss
      East and West - Nancy Lan Liu
      A New Worldview - Tom Rivett-Carnac
      Taking the Tree Trunk from Our Eye - Nigel Topping
      Community Spirit - Paul Dickinson
      A Well-Being Economy - Julia Kim
      Lasting Gifts - Emily Ryan
      A Home and a Community - Eve Annecke and Fiona Tilley

      Part 7: The Future
      Flourishing: Regenerative Learning - Pavel Cenkl

      Acknowledgments
      About the Editors
      About New Society Publishers

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account