Change Lab invites PME students from NCAD to explore how their practice as artists is inherently pedagogical.
Launch: Wednesday, 6 May 2026, 6.30 PM - 8.30 PM. All are welcome to attend.
Exhibition Opening Times: Thursday, 7 May 2026, 11 AM - 6 PM.
The Change Lab was designed as a model of practice to embed concepts of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) into the heart of learning within the Professional Master of Education Programme at NCAD in a way that instils in the student artist-teachers a strong commitment and motivation to teach for social justice, climate change and sustainability.
CHANGE LAB 2026: ARCHIPELAGIC THINKING
(A methodological framework for arts and educational practice)
Change Lab is a practice-based project which takes place yearly in the School of Art Education in collaboration with the NCAD Gallery and is funded by the Ubuntu network and Irish Aid. Change Lab invites PME students from NCAD to explore how their practice as artists is inherently pedagogical. Students respond, research and create work through the lens of their practice as artists, researchers, and educators to critically consider their practice as social commentary framed by the Global Citizenship in Education (GCE). Students contribute to the development of a body of work which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Change Lab is underpinned by the concept of ‘Archipelagic Thinking’, a concept developed by the work of philosopher and essayist Édouard Glissant. Derived from the study of archipelagos – Archipelagic Thinking is a way of understanding the world not as one unified system, but as a network of distinct yet connected parts—like an archipelago of islands. Glissant’s Archipelagic Thinking proposes the image of the archipelago to visualise a specific way of thinking about the world through diversity and plurality, which opposes homogenising practices that characterise globalisation.
In this context of Change Lab, ‘Archipelagic Thinking’ provides agency for students when working collaboratively as artists, researchers, and educators. Change Lab 2026 culminates as a group presentation / exhibition in the NCAD Gallery for their colleagues, peers and the public to gain an insight into their methods and critical thinking during this crucial phase in their Art Educational practice at NCAD.
Dr. John Beattie, The Change Lab 2026: 'Archipelagic Thinking'.
The Change Lab is designed and led by School of Education staff members in NCAD. Head of School & PME Staff 2026:
Dr. Nuala Hunt
Dr. John Beattie
Noel Guilfoyle
Anne Kelly (NCAD Gallery)
2026 Invited Speakers
Maria McKinney
Dr. Glenn Loughran
Maggie Campbell
_______
Acknowledgements
The Change Lab project was initiated in 2017, with Fiona King, Programme Leader of the Professional Master of Education programme & Tony Murphy, Lecturer in Education, in collaboration with Anne Kelly, Curator, NCAD Gallery, and funded by Ubuntu and Irish Aid.
