The Laboratory as Pedagogy for Social Change: Innovation for Research and Education

Abstract

This article develops an original pedagogical model, a Lab(oratory) for training and scientific practice in the field of Communication for Social Change. The proposal arises from the practical experiences achieved through the collaborative work of the Kaleidoscope Network, which is an international epistemic and practical community for the study of digital culture and human development. The case studies used by the Kaleidoscope Network are derived from over two decades of experience in Mexico. Despite their regional origin, the Lab proposal asserts its international significance, particularly within the realm of training and practice in social science in the Global South. First, the article offers a description of and reflection on the context of colonial hegemony, inequality and resource scarcity in public universities in the Global South. Second, the theoretical framework and central principles of the model are developed. Subsequently, through a literature review and analysis, the conceptual design of the proposal is built. Finally, the laboratory’s design is presented to readers for reflection, discussion and contribution, which, in summary, proposes a critical‒creative pedagogy embedded in science for social transformation that is open, ethical, humane and inclusive.