A new framework for creativity in social pedagogy

One of the challenges facing social pedagogy is to identify how creativity can be incorporated not only into social pedagogic practice but also into a conceptual approach which integrates theories of creativity, inclusion and participation into a wider explanatory framework. This article seeks to build on the insights drawn from Danish and German social pedagogy in a way which articulates a new way of developing theory and practice. It draws on a range of articles in the special issue to critique the meaning of creativity, showing the complexity of a matter which can be utilised by neo-liberal and radical commentators. It rejects the former approach and suggests that our understanding of creativity needs to be informed with radical conceptions drawing on inclusion, participation, imaginative space and creative and political imagination. It seeks to integrate these insights into wider debates around intersectionality, critical race theory, gender and social activism. It concludes by looking at questions social pedagogy should consider as we seek to develop our theory and practice.