Aesthetic and embodied learning for democracy
Welcome to the AECED Project Website
Democracy isn’t simply a technical process that involves you learning about its history, principles, rules and institutions. Democracy is a way of governing and a way of relating to each other that is a here-and-now experience.
This understanding sits at the heart of our work and the resources we are developing to support education for democracy in practice through integrating aesthetic and embodied approaches.
Starting your journey
Find approaches and pathways to support a stronger, more lived connection to democracy
What is AELD
Explore the key ideas and principles behind AELD and how it supports education for democracy
Putting AELD into action
Access research informed resources to experiment with and explore AELD in your own setting
Policy implications
Consider how ALED can be supported in learning environments, organisations and policy systems
About the AECED project
Learn more about the 3-year Horizon Europe and UKRI-funded project
Project blog
Engage with blogs written by AECED project members over the lifespan of the project
Latest from the AECED Project Blog
IHEC Conference Ankara, 17-19 October 2025
The International Conference with the title “The Future of Higher Education in an Age of Uncertainty” addressed many relevant topics of changes in the research and practice field of higher education studies. Academics, students, civil society representatives, and Turkish policymakers joined the discussions.
Sensing Democracy through a Multi-Scape Journey
The “Sensing Democracy through a Multi-Scape Journey” workshop at the 66th International Scientific Conference of Riga Technical University aimed to offer participants not only a space to discuss democratic values, but also to feel them through emotions and the senses.
ECER 2025: Reflections from the AECED Project
As part of ECER 2025, AECED colleagues and sister project partners Democrat and Critical Change Lab led workshops and shared multi-cross case analysis strategies in qualitative research. This blog comprises reflections from five members of the AECED team.
Partner Institutions
