Western scientists recently “discovered” a new organ in our bodies: the Interstitium. This collagen scaffolding had long been discarded by conventional medicine and belief systems as static and generally in the way. However, a fresh look with modern tools at LIVING tissue (!) revealed that the Interstitium has myriad life-sustaining functions, previously unrecognized or underappreciated. It activates the Spaces Between within our bodies.
The Interstitium is also a powerful metaphor and a generative frame of reference for situations where reciprocal flows of knowledge, creativity, and care are vital yet unnoticed. This metaphor, brought to light in a 2023 Radiolab podcast, has spurred a growing community of practice for “Interstitionaries” who do this essential but often unsung bridging work. In this talk, I’ll introduce the Interstium as metaphor and methods, and highlight how its methods (including a self-assessment and discussion prompts) might serve the open education community.
Attendees of this session will be able to:- Understand the Interstitium as an inspiring and useful metaphor for any socially-connected work.
- Use the Interstitium model and its practices to help unlock new approaches for relational and recognition challenges and opportunities in open education work.
