Planet death and more anti-normative educational possibilities: Transgressing normative educational models in outdoor and environmental education research

Within the domain of Outdoor and Environmental Education Research (OEER), this article scrutinizes the pervasive presence of normative paradigms when addressing climate change and environmental crises. I shed light on the limitations inherent in customary educational frameworks, particularly when confronted with imminent planetary devastation and the erosion of meaning itself. Utilizing the insights of prominent critical theorists such as Derrida, this discourse undertakes a meticulous deconstruction of the deeply ingrained normative structures embedded in OEER. These structures materialize across the domains of knowledge construction, ethical values, and political engagement, albeit inadvertently reinforcing established norms and hierarchical structures. Through the deconstruction of these normative constraints, this article aspires to envision educational possibilities that transcend the confines of the current paradigm. This critical inquiry not only underscores the shortcomings of normative education but also gestures toward prospects for more anti-normative approaches within OEER. The article calls for a transformative shift that embraces non-linearity, multiplicity, nonsense, and fluidity in knowledge production, ethical considerations, and political engagement. By challenging normative boundaries, my arguments envision more liberated, decolonized, and inclusive forms of education.