History Education in Troubled Times – Blog series

This blog series offers reflections on the History Education in Troubled Times workshop, held on May 23 and 24, 2025 at McMaster University. The two-day workshop gathered researchers, teacher educators, and K-12 teachers to discuss how history education may better address the most pressing issues of our time, from war and climate crisis to democratic decline and violence against marginalized communities.

Reflections on the History Education in Troubled Times Workshop by Sara Karn – Sara Karn (Postdoctoral Fellow, McMaster University) introduces the workshop’s purpose, participants, and partners.

Connecting Past, Present, and Future: Critical Reflections for Troubled Times by Keeley Friar – Keeley Friar (PhD Student, Trent University) critically reflects on the importance of connecting the past, present, and future, while highlighting the voices of Indigenous peoples and the need to live in reciprocal relationships with the land.

Meaningful Engagement: Reflections on Scholarly Community in Troubled Times by Mallory Davies – Mallory Davies (PhD Candidate, University of Waterloo) further reflects on the supportive scholarly community that emerged from the workshop, and how this experience has helped her navigate her own research and teaching. 

The Day After: Living Better in Troubled Times by Nyein Mya – Nyein Mya (PhD Candidate, University of Ottawa) recounts how researchers and teachers came together to share their experiences with addressing histories of oppression and violence in Canada, and how we might live better with others.

From the Sidelines to the Circle: Collaborative History Education for Troubled Times by Valeria Flores Zambrano – Valeria Flores Zambrano (PhD Student, McMaster University) expresses what it meant to be part of a workshop that centres collaboration, conversation, and community within history education.