| Title | 34. The pedagogy of joy and engaged presence |
|---|---|
| Contributor | Phoenix Perry (author) |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0462.34 |
| Landing page | https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0462/chapters/10.11647/obp.0462.34 |
| License | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ |
| Copyright | Phoenix Perry; |
| Publisher | Open Book Publishers |
| Published on | 2025-07-02 |
| Long abstract | This chapter presents a transformative pedagogical approach to teaching creative technology that moves beyond technical proficiency to nurture personal growth, interconnectedness, and social impact. Grounded in the work of bell hooks, the practice centres on a joy-infused, four-tiered methodology designed to cultivate communication, problem-solving, and enduring relationships beyond the classroom. Through the phases of Visionary Optimism, Intersectional Creativity, Authentic Engagement, and Holistic Creation, students are encouraged to actively shape their educational journey, deepen their creative potential, and connect meaningfully with the world around them. The chapter highlights how embracing vulnerability, inclusivity, and risk supports students in becoming empowered, hopeful agents of change. |
| Page range | pp. 415–422 |
| Print length | 8 pages |
| Language | English (Original) |
Dr Phoenix Perry specialises in developing accessible machine learning tools, founds value-driven creative coding organisations, and creates games that explore our collective interconnectivity. As Reader in Games and Creative Technologies at the University of the Arts London, Phoenix blends embodied gaming, inclusive design, and advanced machine learning in interactive systems. She holds a PhD in Computing from Goldsmiths where she focused on Disability Led Game Design. Founder of the Code Liberation Foundation, Perry has empowered over six thousand women to explore computational creativity with games. She also creates tools and open-source resources for game designers and artists, most notably InteractML. Her installations and games work have shown at museums and festivals, including the Wellcome Collection, Somerset House, A Maze, Indie Cade, and GDC.