Peer-reviewed research2017–2026 update
Cynefin – Being of place. An investigation into the perspectives of first-language Welsh speaking hill farmers into the meaning of the word cynefin and the significance for education in Wales and beyond
Welsh hill farmers' understanding of 'cynefin', a word tied to one's relationship with place and land, has the potential to provide a counter-pedagogy in keeping with place-based and Indigenous approaches.
What's new
Cynefin is a key word in the new curriculum for Wales and has no direct English translation. In the past, Welsh hill farmers used it to describe how sheep territorialise their own part of common land to graze. The study used semi-structured interviews with Welsh hill farmers about their use of the word. The analysis produced common themes related to place-based pedagogical theory. The study suggests that cynefin has the potential to provide a counter-pedagogy to mainstream schooling in industrialised societies, in keeping with place-based and Indigenous approaches to education.
Why it matters in Aotearoa
There are clear parallels with concepts in Aotearoa such as tūrangawaewae. The study points to how a local language and relationships with land might inform a curriculum that gives teachers freedom to design for their local context.
Putting it into practice
When designing local curriculum, explore with your community the words and stories they use to describe belonging to place, and build outdoor learning around them.
How strong is the evidence
This is a qualitative interview study with a specific group of Welsh farmers. The abstract does not report the sample size.
What to read
The themes drawn from the farmers' interviews and their link to place-based pedagogy.