S2 Episode Ten: Dr. Audrey Bryan “Enduring Inequalities in Education: Whither Sociology?”

Dr. Audrey Bryan is an Associate Professor of Sociology in the School of Human Development at Dublin City University’s Institute of Education (DCU IoE). Her teaching spans a number of undergraduate as well as post-graduate programmes in the sociology of childhood, sociology of education, advanced research methods and sustainability. Her most recent research advances critical perspectives on Artificial Intelligence and Education, the psycho-affective turn in education, parenting children and youth in the 21st century and climate justice pedagogies. She is Section Editor (with Yoko Mochizuki) of the Climate Section of the Springer Handbook of Children and Youth Studies (2024). In this episode we discuss Audrey's role at DCU and her involvement in teaching sociology of childhood and sociology of education where her work now focuses on inequalities in education. She highlights the sociological perspective on education, emphasizing its role in reinforcing social inequalities. Audrey also expresses concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on education, stressing the importance of human connection and relationality in teaching. She expresses concern about the depoliticized narrative in educational policy-making and the need for a more nuanced sociological perspective. Sociological Perspective on Inequality in Education Audrey discusses the study of inequality as a core aspect of sociology and its explanatory power in understanding educational inequalities. She critiques the popular myth of meritocracy, arguing that education often reinforces rather than eliminates social inequalities and emphasizes the importance of addressing broader social injustices to improve educational outcomes. Challenges and Opportunities in Teacher Education We discuss the challenges of addressing educational inequalities within the current education system and the need for unlearning meritocratic ideologies among student teachers. Audrey also emphasizes the importance of critical thinking skills and addressing complex issues like bullying, inequality, and racism within teacher education programmes. Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Approaches Audrey describes her teaching methods, including the use of film, humor, and visuals to make complex concepts accessible. She mentions the use of "The Rabbit-Proof Fence" film to illustrate agency and resilience in children and how she incorporates comedy and sitcoms like "Shits Creek" to engage students with difficult knowledge.. Global Educational Governance and Social Emotional Learning Audrey explains her work on global educational governance, focusing on international organizations like the OECD and UNESCO. She discusses the shift in educational discourse from human rights to human capital and the role of non-state actors. She highlights the ethical and material consequences of assessing non-cognitive skills and the need for a more nuanced understanding of educational inequalities. Bullying and Digital Culture in Education She emphasizes the need for a sociological perspective to understand the root causes of bullying and its impact on students and the importance of addressing broader social and cultural factors that enable bullying. Audrey highlights the value of nuanced and complex understandings in developing effective anti-bullying policies. Artificial Intelligence and Education We discuss the potential impact of AI on teacher-student relationships and the importance of human interaction in education and the role of big tech in shaping educational discourse and policy and she calls for greater solidarity among sociologists to address the implications of AI in education. A really enjoyable and enlightening conversation with Dr. Audrey Bryan, tune in to hear more!