Max Kelly
Max Kelly has over 15 year’s experience teaching and researching issues in sustainability and development. Max has experience across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
Location Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
Activity
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Max Kelly replied to Kate Allen
a very interesting reflection on this talk - thanks Kate!
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Max Kelly replied to Jodee Sydney
Hi, Thanks for this. Any of the materials that are dated back to 2013 would be chosen deliberately as there would be no more recent materials that covered this point, or it is an author that I wanted you to read! The course is fully updated every year. Key authors include Meadows with the limits to growth debate, Costanza (all the way back to 2000) which is...
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Max Kelly replied to Lauren Collier
I have become an avid writer or emails (and phone caller) to my local politicians. It has got to the point where I have had some conversations with most of them face to face and occasionally get 'Dear Max' direct responses. It feels like a good way to get some ideas in front of people (although it requires a degree of pushiness to keep doing it!)
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Hi Neil, Yes, this is such a problem both for food standards for the consumer but also for producers - large scale limited quality standards is very hard to compete with...
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There is an interesting situation here in Australia where the supermarket sector is absolutely dominated by two supermarkets which means that the power in the food system is vested with these two companies. The implications for a sustainable food system are not great - unless public opinion (and dollars) drives change. It is possible but difficult.
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Interesting - anybody feel differently about this? (not saying you are wrong but it is a useful point for discussion)
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Thankyou Anthony - a great example of possible!
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Max Kelly made a comment
Interesting how often food and agriculture come up (here and previously). I have a background in agriculture so always find it fascinating to see how opinions and knowledge (and agricultural practices) have changed over time.
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Max Kelly replied to MOHAMMAD AL-NAWAWI
Don't worry - just browse the padlet or the comments here :)
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Max Kelly replied to Anthony Miller
Yes, interesting - thanks
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Max Kelly replied to Gwynneth Cheeseman
Fair enough!
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Max Kelly replied to Neil Macpherson
The star trek version is so focused on tech ology as a solution .... food replicators, photon beams you name it!
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Max Kelly replied to Hannah Jenik
Yes, a devastating paralell
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A very thoughtful contribution -
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indeed he did!
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True, although the progress has been significant and the UK has just announced plans to ban fossil fuel based cars from 2030 which is a huge step.
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There are a number of initiatives in different places to reduce packaging on fruit and veg particularly - this is an uphill battle when it really should not be.
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This is perhaps my greatest challenge. I live in Australia but my family is in Ireland. Cheap travel enables (well in a non COVID world anyway) this kind of life, but the carbon footprint of flying cancels so many other efforts I make to be carbon neutral.
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it feels a bit like an oil tanker - it is possible to steer but not quickly.... a rather apt analogy....
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Yes, and the associated rise of social media, concentration of information sources and many other factors which both contribute to greater knowledge, and also the lack of diversity in our news media feeds (I cant think of the term but it relates to the fact that we tend to be fed news/articles which align with our values/politics)
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yes, great points - the ongoing impacts of colonialism, and the slow and painful demise of neoliberalism...
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The growth of 'repair cafes' is an interesting phenomenon - as well as circular economy thinking
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That is a great summary.
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lots of competing demands on food - healthy, sustainable, fair to the producers, local, no added sugar etc etc - it is a decision minefield (I also take a unit on food security so can go on and on on this particular track!)
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Hmm - interesting points - the critiques of XR (white privilege lack of diversity etc), along with critiques of other protest(er)s (Greta Thunberg and many many others) does bring to the fore the very polarised debate that occurs around any issue related to climate and environment. The politicisation of environmental action within a shift towards right wing...
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@GwynnethCheeseman @RaeNuss-Soeharto good points re the social and cultural as well as economic impact of 'fad' foods - there are many examples but Quinoa is a fascinating one to follow if you have time
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Indeed - there are recent efforts to reignite a new green revolution for Africa (AGRA) - heavily supported by the Gates foundation amoung others which is causing some interesting discussions.
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The com itment of Biden to reenter the Paris Agreement is indeed a positive step - and sometimes it is important to find the positives - the Pasic agreement may. to be perfect but it provides a platform for the political focus to drive action - whether it is sufficient or not is another question.
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I have always found this one very important, environmental action is not a new invention, nor indeed an invention of the 'global north' . I think it is important to shift our gaze sometimes
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An excellent addition! I toyed with this as an addition but concluded that some sense of reflection is required to see how the year plays out (although we do touch on COVID as much as is possible in such a time of flux)
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Max Kelly made a comment
Some great comments below, highlighting, in essence, the complex and interlinked nature of the SDGs. There is an interesting mix of problems (poverty) and solutions (education) and the relationships between each are an indicator of the issues facing a critical assessment of global development. How easy do you think it would have been to agree on these goals?
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Yes, the suburban dream seems a long way from some of the Melbourne suburban developments and the concept of food deserts, car reliance and many of the issues associate with poor planning (never mind the large air conditioners tacked on the side of most of these houses).....
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yes, there are two competing discourses going on here - the build back better, and the rebuild the economy dialogues. They are in some ways representative of keys issues that underpin sustainability ....
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How we experience and measure a better life is a fairly complex question. WHo is familiar with Bhutan's integration of wellbeing and spirituality into governance through eh Gross national happiness index? https://www.grossnationalhappiness.com/
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@PiaK Exactly! We are a Victorian (Australia) based University but have always focused on initially distance learning and more recently Cloud based teaching and learning systems - particularly in our international and community development courses (https://www.futurelearn.com/degrees/deakin-university/sustainable-development-humanitarian-action) where many of...
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Max Kelly replied to Jessica Fusitua
Welcome Jessica and don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions about this unit, or the course more generally (I am also the course director of the MICD)
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Max Kelly replied to Rachelle Quiggin
Hi Rachelle, nice to see some familiar faces in here!
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Max Kelly replied to Juliet Johnston
Hi Juliet, that sounds wonderful and it is great to hear of positive actions for sustainability. Is regenerative agriculture a term/concept much used in Scotland at the moment?
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Max Kelly replied to Shanta Parker
There are so many opportunities to brung existing knowledge, skills and experience into the development field!
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I also had to look that one up so thankyou - we all learn something new every day!
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Max Kelly replied to Thet Thet Htwe
Hi Thet, the role of ICT and technologies in a sustainable future is undeniable and a great area for research
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Max Kelly replied to Hannah Jenik
Its fantastic to hear of positive actions for sustainability. Let's hope your petition is succesful.
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Max Kelly replied to Hanga Boróka Gerdán
Welcome, Hanga, It's great to hear that as a high school student you have such a passion for sustainability. Thanks for joining us!
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Max Kelly replied to Carlos Santander
Welcome Carlos and we look forward to hearing more of the changes you have seen, Thanks, Max
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Max Kelly replied to Emily Lanzer
Hi Emily, Welcome to this course. The full version (5 courses or 10-week version) of this course runs as both a micro-credential as well as a unit in the Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action at Deakin. It provides the equivalent of one unit of study that can be used as credit towards a GC or Masters programs (subject to...
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Thanks, Emma,
Hopefully, this will give you at least a taster of graduate education and possibilities for further studies, -
Max Kelly made a comment
This diagram and the notion of planetary boundaries is pretty core to the remainder of the unit
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No till has taken off - regenerative agriculture is also gaining a lot of traction here in Australia particularly as there is scope for 'carbon farming (sequestration of carbon in soil through managements practices) can make money under the Government ERF.
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indeed the current global economic system challenges many aspects of a sustainable future - an issue that will arise more and more throughout the course (and unit for those progressing into the micro credential or beyond)
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Thanks for sharing this Emma. It is indeed an interesting and positive read!
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There are significant moves within the humanitarian sector towards the 'localisation' of aid, which looks to both increase funding towards; 'local' actors, as well as consider the role each actor plays in the aid chain, and where indeed the power in the system lies, and whether this is the b est outcome for those for whom aid and development is intended to...
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Thanks for bringing this up. I had a student last year from within the construction industry and I was really impressed with some of the initiatives and innovations coming out of this industry, it was not an area I was familiar with at all!
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Max Kelly replied to Anika Richardson
time is a challenge for us all - the design of this course is for it to be able to be done bite-sized chunks - delve into what really engages you, and make these points the ones where you contribute more perhaps if you find you are struggling to keep going. If anything is not clear just ask - don't get bogged down. There ar plenty of us here to help out or...
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Max Kelly replied to Dilip Kumar
@SamJohnson @DilipKumar This is an excellent suggestion - how can we share our learnings or findings and something that can be picked up throughout the course hopefully.
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That is true, however, I encourage all questions and try and ensure that people are comfortable with contributing ideas, questions, opinions, reflections and so on. The key to the open debate is being able to hear another opinion through active listening, a skill that is perhaps being lost in the barrage of media (social and otherwise). We hope this will be...
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Max Kelly replied to Karen Langdon
Absolutely, and also sometimes give us different perspectives that may challenge us, or provide a new direction for thinking.
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As the old adage goes, there is no such thing as a silly question and as an educator, I can absolutely support that. Ask away!
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Max Kelly made a comment
Hi, Its great to see such a diverse cohort of students in this course. As you will see as we move through the course the experience is designed to ensure that we have the opportunity to learn from each other's experiences and ideas. Welcome to those who have already introduced themselves and I look forward to hearing from more of you!
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yes, a point that has some relevance to the current climate crisis. Although some of the parameters differ wildly, the capacity for global action has already been demonstrated
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Max Kelly replied to Lorena Muñoz Ratia
agreed! However, policy choices often mean trade-offs. I think it can be useful to consider them in this way. I am pleased that education is number one. It does seem foundational. i think that is the key here. Where are the foundations upon which a sustainable world can be built
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interesting take. I think there is plenty of potential to explore who may be best placed to ascertain how the goals can be achieved. International NGOs, local civil society? What about multilateral institutions (UN etc), or national governments? Private sector? Lts and lots of talking points here!
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History is written by the conquerors....
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Max Kelly made a comment
I am a Hans Rosling fan. If nothing else ( and there is plenty in his work) he makes data accessible - sensible. Data can be manipulated a lot of ways but these long data sets and organsaiton do help address misconceptions. Unfortunatly he passed away a couple of years ago. I miss his work!
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Max Kelly made a comment
This paper on planetary boundaries is central to the remainder of the programme!
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Yes, and the shift to neoliberal economics from the 70s onwards with a focus on economic growth, freeing up of markets, reduced role for government and globalised corporate interests and a range of other aspects I would argue cemented the pathway. A set of circumstances that is now widely understood as immensely problematic :(
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Yes, the population issue is often referred to as the elephant in the room, as any attempt to discuss population control has exceptionally negative consequences (as shown by history). A topic that we will return to later!
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Yes, unfortunately at the federal level Australian politics are firmly rooted in a neoloberal ideology, with no commitment to equity, sustainability, and so on. However, at the state and local levels there are some very positive moves I feel (i also think it is important to look for the positives - the positive deviance model if you will!)
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Will wait to hear how you go over the duration of the course!
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Indeed
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@AmyJ yes, good characterisation! The current debate around populist discourse (both right-wing and left-wing) frames some very divisive thinking. My current research is around the 'western' hegemony of the global development institutions (World Bank and IMF for example) and therefore what a more equitable future would look like in an increasingly multipolar...
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Thanks Di, debates around the whose idea of development drives the agenda include those from decolonisation discourse, globalisation (and deglobalisation) and many others. A fascinating area.
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interesting!
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Yes, however, there is sufficient evidence to change behaviours and policy, if the policymakers based decisions on evidence. Politics, power and ideology all influence how evidence is used unfortunately.
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thanks @AnibikoDasio context is so vital, and equal access to the benefits of 'development' is central.
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Good points. Sustainable Urban development is a highly complex issue and the link between design, liveability, infrastructure and environmental and social sustainability is clear, and not really addressed by the current planning system in most parts of Australia where underpinning ideological factors are not necessarily driven primarily by sustainability.
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Thanks Rachelle. There is indeed a lot of divisive argument and polarising debate. Scientific evidence (which is where I go when debates such as these arise) demonstrate that fire seasons are longer and fires more intense as a result of human-induced climate change. Check out this report from 2018 for details from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, also...
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Thanks @LOUJORGENSEN , The issue of what constitutes a tipping point for change is perhaps one of the most relevant discussions right now. Where I live, after considerable lobbying our local council (which let's be clear is relatively conservative!) has declared a climate emergency, which was a considerable win in my opinion. I may be in danger of optimism...
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Thanks, Erin, the different lens and contexts, and the discourse around who holds power in any given situation is crucial in this debate. GOod points.
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Yes, good points. The notion of the individual, and therefore competition, rather than cooperation is embedded in the current globalised neoliberal discourse that underpins our economic thinking. However, this is, thankfully being increasingly challenged!
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Hi Liz,
I don't think this is too narrow at all, and in fact, a society that values all members, including the elderly, and provides safe healthy respectful, dignified places to live must be a basic building block. When this is realised for profit, or otherwise than as a society I think we are all at risk. Thanks for this. -
Max Kelly made a comment
lots of great ideas contained below. There are a multitude of key concepts, change, limits, resources, environment, society, culture, equality, future generations, adatation, creation, innovation and many many more. It is useful to keep some track of these as we go along. For me one of the core questions is that of growth, what, why, where, how, for whom?!!
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@ianbarnes the differing use of words/ideas is well noted.
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@ChloeGeorgakis again I like this conceptualisation - the notion of a rearrangement raises the sceptre of differing types of change, radical change versus incremental for example. These are key ideas in relation to required actions to achieve a 'sustainable' future for all.
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indeed
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Policymakers are indeed indelibly linked to politics and decisions made are frequently driven by powerful interests rather than scientific consensus..
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Another nice conceptualisation and the issue of boundaries and limits will come up in much more detail later in the course.
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@CharlesObukwelu you have identified the core conundrum in the term sustainable development! AN oxymoron indeed and the heart of the issue.
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@ChiFongDeniseChua a nice conceptualisation!
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Thanks, Larisse, one of the many debates around sustainable development is the notion of growth. The notion of empowerment for growth raises for me the notion of a different type of growth, when it is so frequently applied to economic growth, rather than other, less measurable processes
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Max Kelly made a comment
There are some excellent points in the conversation below. Engaging with your peers, and your lecturer/tutor is a great way not just to read information but to test out ideas, consider other points of view, and generally to engage in teaching and learning that is at a deeper level. Let's keep the momentum up, but keeping in mind that you all have various...
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Max Kelly replied to Nytia Jenkins
yes, a lovely opportunity in these contexts!
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Sounds like a good plan - I also think that it can be useful to scan ahead a little and see where you feel that you want to concentrate your ideas a little. There are a lot of steps and each of you will find points of higher interest as you go along - that's OK too!
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Max Kelly replied to Rachelle Quiggin
Hi Rachelle, It can also be useful to consider backup strategies for when you are busy or similar so that the basics of keeping ideas flowing between us all does not fall away as trimester progresses. Collaberate sessions help as well (course 2 for graduate enrolled students)
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Max Kelly replied to DI HORKINGS
yes, I often find my splendid clarity of thought gets a little less clear when getting it on paper (or virtual paper at least)!
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Max Kelly replied to Isobelle Watkin
thanks, Isobelle. Respectful and considered communication is the heart of learning and discussion. In a world where social media can provide a platform for less than pleasant interactions, it is a wonderful reminder of these points.
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Max Kelly replied to CRAIG HICKS
good points!
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Max Kelly replied to Danielle C
A good set of questions to start with. I will be keen to hear how you feel we are going in terms of addressing them (and questions that others have as well) through this course.
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Any questions about academic-speak welcome! Hopefully, this program provides a fairly useful link between research and practice as well.
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Max Kelly replied to Margaret Merry
@MargaretMerry Hi Margaret, It is easy to become disillusioned. However, hopefully, this course will indeed try and identify some of the positive things that are happening around the globe. Although we are at what is best described as a crisis point, there is an incredible amount of public awareness of issues of climate change, sustainability and human impact....
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Max Kelly replied to Karin Guinchard
The movies are ficional. The point is to explore what a vision of our future may be. The current would have been fantasy 60-70 years ago!!
