Questions concerning the future and what constitutes a good life represent central existential issues in the lives of many young people. One of the key aims of education is to prepare students to become active democratic citizens and responsible adults who are equipped for future studies and working life. At the same time, the media frequently report on students’ stress related to academic achievement and grades, as well as concerns about the future and global challenges such as climate change, war, social sustainability, economic uncertainty, artificial intelligence, and working life.
This research project seeks to explore this field of tension. The aim of the project is to investigate students’, teachers’, and career guidance counsellors’ conceptions of a good life and the future, and how these conceptions are (re)produced or challenged in different educational contexts. The project comprises three sub-studies. These include analyses of students’ essays on their views of the future, as well as interviews and surveys with students, practising and pre-service teachers, and career guidance counsellors.
Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the project seeks both to broaden and deepen our understanding of these issues. The findings will contribute to the development of interdisciplinary collaboration between the social science subjects and the work carried out by career guidance counsellors in schools.
The project is funded by The Swedish Research Council
Project Website