The River Tiger Podcast

I reached out to Sara Bref after reading a translation of one of her articles for the Swedish equestrian magazine Hippson. After a brief exchange of emails, I invited Sara to be a guest and Sara asked if she could bring Petra with her. I know I always say that my guests are awesome (they are), but this was a very special and rich conversation that also left me feeling more hopeful and thoughtful about the future of equestrianism and equestrian sports. I hope that you enjoy listening to the conversation and please do follow my guests and their wonderful journalism (mot of it is in Swedish so google-translate might be a good companion and well worth the effort to translate).Sara wrote an article about my concept paper 'Can’t jump, won’t jump: Affordances of the horse-rider dyad underpin skill adaptation in showjumping using a constraints-led approach. (Davies, M., Stone, J. A., Davids, K., Williams, J., & O’Sullivan, M. (2023). Can’t jump, won’t jump: Affordances of the horse-rider dyad underpin skill adaptation in showjumping using a constraints-led approach. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 18(4), 1313-1319). Research article -https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541221107379Hippson article -https://www.hippson.se/artikelarkivet/forskning/forskare-belyser-var-syn-pa-hasten.htm?fbclid=IwAR2wse5e49Wj0TyqADTsRq_wH7QwzqHQBev9VPteV5yokoT4Dtc7JiliafM My guests on this episode were: Sara Bref Sara has a degree in Animal Science and is also a journalist. Sara currently works at the Swedish Farmers Association, before that she worked with science communication at a Swedish university. Sara has also been writing popular science for horse magazines (mostly hippson.se) for 15 years. Sara can be reached on her LinkedIn, though she only posts in Swedish: Sara Bref | LinkedInPetra AnderssonPetra has a PhD in practical philosophy and has a position as a researcher and teacher in practical philosophy at The University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Most of Petra's teaching is in environmental ethics and animal ethics. Most of her research is about horse welfare.Petra is on Facebook and can be contacted through her university email at petra.andersson@filosofi.gu.se

In this episode I caught up with my good friend Tyler Yearby from Emergence and US Ski and Snowboard to discuss his work in strength and conditioning, movement technique, biomechanics, and coaching.I hope that you enjoy this episode. Please get in touch with your reflections and feedback. Research Papers(Re)conceptualizing movement behavior in sport as a problem-solving activity - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1130131/fullReserachGate Proflie https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tyler-YearbyContactingTylerX - @TylerYearbyLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-yearby-59b89b5a/

I came across Karen's research while reading up for the discussion section of one of my PhD study papers. In this conversation we explore systems thinking, how it applies to horses and equestrianism, welfare, training and lots more. I hope that you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.My guest on this episode is PhD candidate, Karen Luke.Karen Luke researches rider motivation and safety as well as horse welfare and welfare assessment at Central Queensland University. Her work includes developing a new approach to horse welfare based on systems thinking and a new ridden horse welfare assessment tool that she used to show a connection between horse welfare and rider safety. She has also investigated equestrians’ understanding of horse welfare and most recently, why equestrians make the choices they do when it comes to horse keeping and training. Karen lives in Melbourne, Australia and when not researching, enjoys riding and training her own horses.Recommended books:The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision. Fritjof Capra and Pier Luigi Luisi.Ways of Being. James Bridle.Karen's ReserachGate profile:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karen-Luke-2Twitter/ X@K_L_LukeJust Equestrian Solutions Website:https://justequestriansolutions.com/index.htmlThe research on rats, motivation, welfare, and learning (lego cars and fruit loops):https://urnow.richmond.edu/video/article/-/19727/rats-who-ride-see-the-latest-from-urs-motoring-rodents-.html?utm_source=www&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=video-story

In this episode we revisit the importance of considering where an athlete or learner is focusing their attention and why focus of attention is so important for skill acquisition, retention, and transfer. My guests bring the topic to life with an overview of the research literature to date. We also discuss some of the challenges of research, application to practice and why this area is so important for coaches to be aware of.  Findings in the 'focus of attention' literature for the benefits of an 'external focus'  has been one of the most replicated phenomena in sports science. But, is it that simple? More recent research is challenging the simple internal vs external focus dichotomy and looking at what perceptual information might be most important for the performer to be attuning to. We also discuss the importance of researchers learning from practitioners. My guests on this episode are Dr Vicky Gottwald and Dr Robin Owen.Vicky GottwaldX @GottwaldVickyUniversity profilehttps://www.bangor.ac.uk/staff/spss/vicky-gottwald-016917/enRobin OwenX @RobinOwenPsychUniversity profilehttps://www.hope.ac.uk/si/dr-robin-owen.htmlUseful Links Gottwald et al, (2023). Every story has two sides: evaluating information processing and ecological dynamics perspectives of focus of attention in skill acquisition https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1176635/fullHarnessing the power of attention: Exploring 'focus of attention' theories, practice, and myths. In book: Myths of Sport Performance (Due in Spring 2024). Publisher: Sequoia.Draft version: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377416924_Harnessing_the_power_of_attention_Exploring_'focus_of_attention'_theories_practice_and_myths 

My guest Mark O'Sullivan is an associate professor at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and an 'A' Licence Football Coach. Mark is also a co-author on my concept paper, 'Can't jump, won't jump.' In this conversation we explore why Mark chose to go back into academia and follow a PhD researching coaching and skill acquisition from an ecological dynamics perspective.The conversation follows our curiosity and wanders through a variety of topics starting with Mark's motivation to 'fall into a PhD' at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK with James Rumbold and Keith Davids alongside his full time job as Head of Development for 8–12 years olds at AIK FC in Stockholm. The conversation centres on the challenges and opportunities of trying to move from a more linear to nonlinear pedagogy in sports coaching practice. Mark challenges many of our current coaching practices, myths, coach education, and the pervasiveness of socio-cultural influences.For those of you who are paying attention, Mark is also one of my co-authors on the paper 'Can't jump, won't jump: Affordances of the horse-rider dyad underpin skill adaptation in showjumping using a constraints-led approach.' Davies at al, 2022.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17479541221107379Here are some of Mark's open access academic papers:The Learning in Development Research Framework for sports organizations, O'sullivan et al, 2021. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13573322.2021.1966618Not just to know more, but to also know better: How data analysis-synthesis can be woven into sport science practiced as an art of inquiry, O'sullivan et al, 2023. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13573322.2023.2261970Researchgate (if you are not familiar with this site, it's a great place to search for academic researchers and often has copies of papers available as open access): https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mark-O-Sullivan-PhdTwitter (X): @markstkhlmMark's Blog: https://footblogball.wordpress.com/

On this episode I am joined by event rider and equestrian coach, Alex van Randwyck. I met Alex through mutual coach development work and found her insightful, humble and with the ability to connect with others and communicate with refreshing clarity. So of course, I asked her if she would consider being a guest on my podcast!I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. Alex shares so many insights and examples about how we can all be proactive in our own development and learning as coaches. Especially in learning from, and supporting each other. As always, although we are focussed on equestrian sports, this podcast is as relevant for any sport or activity. Getting in touch with Alex. Alex's social media is packed with great advice, ideas and loads of fun facts. https://www.alexvanrandwyck.com/https://www.instagram.com/avanrandwyckcoaching/https://www.facebook.com/avanrandwyckcoaching/About my guest. "In 2013 I went to the University of Leicester to study Geology and I became involved with student riding. I qualified for nationals in 2015 and was awarded a Sport Scholarship in my final year. In the autumn of 2015 I competed in my first Student Riding Nations Cup representing the Netherlands where we won team silver. Through these competitions I was able to compete all over Europe in places like Poland, Ireland, Germany and Switzerland and in 2016 I was selected to be part of the team for the World University Equestrian Championships.In 2017 I went to work for Nick Gauntlett. I spent 2 years there and it was a great experience to be part of a larger set up. I had the opportunity to groom at overseas events, ride lovely young horses and work with the stallions and youngstock. It was also really helpful to have someone so experienced on hand to go to for advice and training. Working here allowed me to gain experience with lots of different horses and helped me to pass my A Test in 2019.In the autumn of 2019 I set up on my own and even though we were in the middle of a global pandemic my business has grown quickly. I teach regularly for the Wokingham and Garth South pony club branches in addition to training the area 13 AH Test candidates. I really enjoy teaching as it’s so lovely to watch partnerships grow and be involved in their journey. I particularly enjoy teaching younger children and riders who lack confidence as I am good at breaking down concepts and making sure the rider has all the skills they need to progress and work on their own." 

Where performers direct their focus of attention has significant impacts on performance and learning.  Coaches typically use instructions and practice design to direct a performers attention, intentionally or not. However there is generally a miss-match between coaching practice (instructions that are internally and form/technique focussed) and research (which advocates an external focus of attention).This episode is a joint production with 'Locked in Shed' podcaster Richard Barbour. Locked in Shed podcasts https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lockedinshed/episodes/Locked-in-Shed-series-1---episode-9-eie7ccInstagram https://www.instagram.com/lockedinshed/UK Snowsports Coaching Conference details and tickets Open access research paper - Every story has two sides: evaluating information processing and ecological dynamics perspectives of focus of attention in skill acquisition https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1176635/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Sports_and_Active_Living&id=1176635

Part 2 of my conversation with US show jumper, Lacy Stormes.

Show notes to follow.My fabulous guest, Dr Gal Ziv can be found on Research Gate at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gal-Ziv'Gal's main research interest is the role of attention and perception in human performance of motor skills. Specifically, he is interested in the role that visual attention plays when learning complex skills such as flying an aircraft or performing surgery.'This is the paper that inspired me to connect with Gal for a conversation about his research (open access) - An embodied and ecological approach to skill acquisition in racecar driving.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1095639/full

My fabulous guest this week is USA showjumper, Lacy Stormes.In the first part of this episode Lacy shares how she ended up with a barefoot horse and becoming more curious and, almost accidentally, going against the 'do what has always been done, how it's always been done' advise. This was a fascinating conversation and I learnt so much. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Part two will be out soon!Contacts for my guest: Lacy Stormes•Stormes Horsemanship and Showjumping • Lacy Stormes Barefoot ShowjumpingProfessional rider and coachOn Instagram: Stormes ShowjumpingOn Facebook:Stormes Horsemanship and ShowjumpingLacy Stormes Barefoot Showjumping USALacy Stormes and barefoot L.A. LOVE2023 Grand Prix of Flintridge 8th place finishLacy Stormes and barefoot Totem Du Phare2023 Shamrockin Show Speed StakeChampionPhoto Credit: Grandpix

My guest on this episode is Dr Carrie Ijichi.I reached out to Carrie after reading some of her research about how horses cope and respond to stress. Her research is refreshing, much needed and will hopefully help us to understand our equines better. In this conversation Carrie brings to life how a horses personality is influenced by biology and experience, and how in turn, that influences the way they cope and the way they experience pain.About my guest"I'm interested how coping style affects the expression of negative states including differences in pain behaviour & stereotypy between individuals & whether these can be explained by personality. More recently, I've been investigating various factors that influence how well animals cope with human handling including pressure headcollars, handler bond and welfare during learning. I use behavioural analysis, salivary cortisol, heart rate variability and infrared thermography in my research."ResearchGate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Carrie-Ijichi

Nia is an Equine Nutritionist and Podiatrist with a particular interest in species appropriate feeding and management of the horse for optimum health and performance. She is a Director of Finer Forage, a natural horse food and supplement company. She is also a tutor at Areion Academy where she teaches equine nutrition, and co-owns Pony Pedicures with Ali.www.areion.co.uk/eenwww.finerforage.com www.facebook.com/equineandpetnutritionAli is an Equine Podiatrist, working with Nia and Harriet at Pony Pedicures. He has a particular interest in the rehabilitation of hoof pathologies and believes that rebuilding the hoof structures to improve function, comfort and performance is usually possible when a whole horse approach is employed, by working collaboratively with other professionals such as physiotherapists, nutritionists and vets. www.ponypedicures.comwww.facebook.com/ponypedicuresHarriet is a horse trainer focussing on harmonious partnerships and healthy biomechanics and is passionate about rehab work and holistic horse care and management. She is also an Equine Podiatrist working with Ali Taylor at Pony Pedicures and runs her own business H&H training and hoof care.https://www.facebook.com/Horses.Hattie

My guest this week is the fabulous equine ethologist, Renate Larssen. We covered so many topics exploring the intersection of equine ethology, learning and skill acquisition. I know that this is a long podcast again, but it was so worth it. We delved into so many areas including, philosophy, ethics, relationships, agency, research directions, and lives worth living. My guest, Renate Larssen Ethologist (MSc) | Equine behaviour specialist | PhD student human-animal relations BODY-POLITICS/University of Leicester. "I have a BSc in Veterinary Medicine from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and a MSc in Applied Ethology from Linköping University. My published research can be found here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159122001095Currently enrolled as a PhD student at the University of Leicester School of Archaeology and Ancient History, where I apply modern ethological research into animal cognition, emotion and behaviour to re-theorize human-animal relations in the Scandinavian Iron and Viking Age as part of the ERC-funded BODY-POLITICS project. Did a brief eight-year stint in politics so I know a bit about policymaking, public affairs, and communications, too. I write about horses and science:  https://theequineethologist.substack.com/Recommended books from the podcast:Susanna Forrest, The Age of the HorseStephen Budiansky, The Nature of HorsesCarl Safina, Becoming Wild and Beyond WordsJames Bridle, Ways of Being

My guest on this episode is Dr Niels Feddersen. Niels is a postdoctoral researcher in sports science. He studies organisational culture and power relations in elite sports organisations in the UK, Norway, and Denmark.Niels obtained his PhD from Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK. In the research, he collaborated with several Olympic sports organisations, the FA, and Premier League football clubs.Niels currently works at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology researching Social Psychology, Sports Psychology and Organizational Psychology. Current projects include culture and policy in Danish elite sports; sport psychology in football; and recreational exercise activities as a lifestyle intervention for people with stress, anxiety, and depression.Here is the link to Niels' academic profile and research https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/niels.feddersenResearchGate profile https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Niels-Feddersen

I am very excited to share this podcast with you. My guest Dr Paula Silva is a researcher who I have been a fan of for many years, and has been hugely influential to me.I'll add some topics to these show notes later - I'm doing a late night edit.

I am very excited to share this podcast with you. My guest Dr Paula Silva is a researcher who I have been a fan of for many years, and has been hugely influential to me.In part 1 we explored many themes including:1. What is anti-fragility?2. How does anti-fragility differ from resilience?3. Why we might want to stop trying to train/ coach perfect form and patterns.4. How bodies learn to move and be skilful.5. Can we use operant conditioning like they do in AI and robotics?6. An introduction to meta-stability.Here is a link to a video that supports the conversation about AI and training robots: https://youtu.be/5jL5wRGrCvk My guest Paula Silva received a Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG (Brazil) in 2000, a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Science from the same university in 2002, and a PhD degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of Connecticut in 2009. Paula also obtained a Certificate in Quantitative Methods from the University of Connecticut and is an Associate Professor and Co-director of graduate training in the Psychology Department  and one of the primary faculty members of the Center for Cognition, Action & Perception.Paula's research primarily focuses on human performance from the perspectives of complexity science and ecological psychology. Specifically,  action strategies employed by individuals of different ages, with and without pathological conditions, when performing various tasks. Her research has three complementary aims: (a) advancing general theoretical principles to explain coordination and perceptual regulation of biological movement supporting successful performance in diverse circumstances, (b) revealing and explaining changes in action coordination and perceptual capabilities associated with pathological conditions, and (c) applying these principles to design methods for assessing and enhancing resilience of individuals with movement-related disability and those at risk for sports injury.Complete list of Journal Publications:https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&view_op=list_works&gmla=AJsN-F4CL3SrNy-iuSs5Alrk3OIvDRJyO6g0425q3xOwib09l8oZuCyFj6trqtE2ih84Yr_PXU2qhJk6m_AzKfgdeaAI7dnnZMnAKj4tMbYyrhHmA_RAoRU&user=z9FExgcAAAAJ 

For episode 30 I am delighted to welcome back one of my guests from episode one. Dr James Stafford joined me to explore the practical applications of measuring perception-action coupling, this time applied to concussion.James can be contacted onj.stafford@incisiv.tech Twitter @JamesStafford94 Videohttps://youtu.be/YlidtcdMxyQWebsitehttps://incisiv.tech

I believe that this is probably the most important topic that I have explored on these podcasts, and that embracing and using the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHPE) could transform equestrian sports.Firstly, I need to apologise to Sue for being over enthusiastic and not the best host. It was due to my excitement and passion for supporting what she has been doing. This is a conversation that I will be listening to again a few more times.My guest is Dr Sue DysonSue Dyson qualified as a veterinarian from the University of Cambridge in 1980. After an internship at the University of Pennsylvania and a year in private equine practice in Pennsylvania, Sue returned to Great Britain to the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket. Sue ran a clinical referral service for lameness and poor performance, attracting clients from all over the United Kingdom, Ireland and continental Europe for 37 years. During this period Sue was also awarded a PhD and Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. From 2019 she has worked as an independent consultant, combining her horsemanship skills with her previous veterinary experience, with the aim of maximising performance potential.Sue’s key interests are improving the diagnosis of lameness and poor performance and maximising the opportunity for horses to fulfil their athletic potential at whatever level, taking a holistic approach to the horse, rider and tack combination, and improving approaches to diagnosis and management. She has been involved not only in providing clinical services, but also clinically relevant research and education. Sue is co-editor, with Mike Ross, of Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse and co-author of Clinical Radiology of the Horse and Equine Scintigraphy. She has published more than 400 papers in peer reviewed journals concerning lameness and diagnostic imaging and has lectured worldwide to veterinarians, paraprofessionals, coaches, riders and judges.Sue is a former President of the British Equine Veterinary Association and is currently scientific advisor to the Saddle Research Trust and Moorcroft Rehabilitation Centre. Sue is also a rider, and has produced horses from novice to top national level in both eventing and show jumping. Sue holds the Instructors and Stable Managers Certificates of the British Horse Society (BHSI).Sue has been awarded many international accolades for her work including induction into the University of Kentucky Equine Research Hall of Fame for outstanding contributions to research in equine veterinary science, Honorary Membership of the British Equine Veterinary Association and Societa Italiana Veterinari Per Equini, Italy, the American Association of Equine Practitioners Frank J. Milne Award and the Tierklinik Hochmoor Prize, Germany, for outstanding, creative and lasting work in equine veterinary medicine.The 24 behaviour website is here https://www.24horsebehaviors.org/Sue can be contacted on her ResearchGate profile (below) and at the Saddle Research Trust https://www.saddleresearchtrust.com/meet-the-team-2/The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain: Shifting the Paradigm of How We See Lameness at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrZgtrqbMVIThis is Dr Sue Dyson's profile on ResearchGate where you can get access to most of her research papers https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sue-Dyson-2Other useful links: Lorimer Moseley - Why Things Hurt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwd-wLdIHjs

Themes covered in this episode include:How our personal philosophies can be constrained by external metrics such as what we judged on (medals for example).Staying open to being surprised by what others can do.Replacing expectations and 'supposed to' with attentive responsiveness.Challenging our assumptions.Finding spaces to have time and the environment to explore thinking.How we might find out what others think our philosophy is.A guide to ontology, epistemology, and philosophical perspectives for interdisciplinary researchers. This is an excellent short article to explore philosophy in research a little deeper. My fabulous guests on parts 1 and 2 are:Dr Alex Lascu is a skill acquisition specialist by trade and currently lectures at the University of Canberra. Her passion for talent development and community sport is contagious, and she enjoys existing in the gap between research and practice in the hopes of bringing these two worlds together.Find Alex on Twitter at @skillacqlascu At her website https://skillacqlascu.com/Or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alascule/?originalSubdomain=au Dr Carl Woods is a Senior Research Fellow within the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University. His research interests reside at the intersection of ecological psychology, social anthropology, and sport science, where he explores concepts of knowing, skill, learning and education. He has an extensive background in both academia and the industry, having held various positions within multiple Australian Universities and the Australian Football League.Contacting Carl -Carl is on Twitter - @CarlWoods25ResearchGateHere are a few of Carl's recent papers -Thinking through making and doing: sports science as an art of inquiry.Craig Morris is an Olympic Canoe Slalom Coach and High Performance Coach consultant with over 17 years of experience in performance coaching.Personal coach to 1 individual senior Olympic, World and European podiums and over 30 World Cup podiums, across multiple athletes and 4 Olympic disciplines, Craig is regarded as one of the World’s leading Canoe Slalom coaches and skill acquisition specialists.More recently Craig has become a Director and Performance Coach for Cultured Coaching Ltd, offering high performance bespoke development and executive coaching and mentoring to individuals and teams across a myriad of domains.Wherever Craig goes he aims to be innovative in his coaching practice and is increasingly engaged worldwide in fields including leadership, coach development, skill acquisition, mentoring and ecological approaches to performance coaching. Craig and Carls paper 'On the Wisdom of Not Knowing: reflections of an Olympic Canoe Slalom coach Craig can be contacted via email at info@culturedcoaching.com On Twitter @MorrisCraig_ LinkedIn  Craig MorrisDavid Farrokh is a PhD candidate at Sheffield Hallam University (with Prof Keith Davids, Dr Joe Stone, and Dr James Rumbold) researching flow from an ecological dynamics perspective.Find David on FaceBook and Twitter @bigpicsoccer

Themes covered in this episode include:What is a coaching philosophy and do we need one?Understanding experiences from others perspectives.Learning through corresponding/ interacting together.Best intentions, staying curious and humble.My fabulous guests bios and links to other content and resources are in part 2 due to word constraints.BibliographyThe meaning of some 'long words' used in the podcast. Despite the complexity of the words, these are important and useful concepts to think about regarding philosophy and guiding principles in coaching.Critical phenomenology examines how our experiences are shaped by power, social structures, and historical contexts. It emphasises the importance of understanding individual and group experiences, while also acknowledging larger societal forces. It critiques traditional phenomenology's focus on individual subjectivity and advocates for social and political critique to empower marginalised groups and create more equitable societies.Eco-feminism highlights the connection between women's oppression and environmental degradation, both caused by the patriarchal system. It advocates for more egalitarian and sustainable societies, emphasising the interdependence of all living beings.Positivistic objective philosophy emphasises empirical evidence and scientific methods to understand the world, seeking universal laws and objective truths while excluding subjective experiences and values. It prioritises quantitative data and a neutral observer to eliminate bias from scientific investigation.Ethnography is a qualitative research method used to understand human cultures and social phenomena by systematically observing and analysing people in their natural environment. Ethnographers aim to produce detailed accounts of social and cultural contexts through extended fieldwork, interviews, surveys, and document analysis, often using an emic (insider) or etic (outsider) perspective.Participant observation is a research method where the researcher becomes a participant in a social setting while observing and recording the behaviour of others. It provides a deep understanding of the cultural practices and beliefs of the group studied by experiencing them firsthand, and often involves note-taking, interviewing, and engagement with group members.Anthropocentric philosophy prioritises humans and their needs above all other living beings and the environment. It assumes nature exists solely for human benefit, promoting an unsustainable relationship with the natural world. This perspective neglects the interconnectedness of all life and has been criticised for being destructive.Pedagogy is the practice and theory of teaching and education, encompassing methods and strategies to facilitate learning, selecting appropriate materials, designing lesson plans, and creating an engaging environment. Effective pedagogy considers individual needs, promotes active participation, and varies by subject matter, age group, and cultural context.Ontology is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of existence, including the concepts of being, becoming, and reality. It is concerned with questions about what exists, what entities can be said to exist, and how such entities can be grouped, related within a hierarchy, and subdivided according to similarities and differences.Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope of knowledge. It explores questions related to how knowledge is acquired, the criteria for evaluating knowledge claims, and the limits of what can be known. Epistemology also examines the various sources of knowledge, such as perception, reason, and testimony, and investigates the methods used to validate knowledge claims, such as the scie