Design thinking workshop: using experiential learning, creativity, and empathy to learn about the complexities of food insecurity and sustainability

Food sustainability is a complex topic that most people are aware of, but few truly understand. Media and education often fail to provide students and civil society with the right tools to develop a comprehensive and proactive understanding of this topic. This chapter discusses the use of experiential learning in the form of a design thinking workshop during a conference to encourage attendees to think critically about food systems and the challenges of food sustainability, in particular those related to food insecurity and how they can be addressed. The workshop applied Kolb’s theory of experiential learning and Mezirow’s transformational learning theory to create a situation where attendees participated in a novel food experience related to sustainability and insecurity. Throughout the workshop, participants were encouraged to reflect on their assumptions about food systems and food supply chains and their role in them. Aspects of the workshop enabled participants to experience firsthand media impacts in food choices and habits and food inequalities. The workshop leaders asked participants to reflect on their emotions or feelings throughout the workshop, which fostered empathy, collaboration, and communication skills. Despite reporting knowledge about food insecurity prior to participating in the workshop, more than 80% of participants felt that their participation in the experience improved their understanding of the food system and sustainability and provided them with ideas about how to address it. Participants left with a belief that they could take action to address food complexities in their local communities and beyond.