Rethinking Education’s Source Code: Dr. Walter Balser on Decentralization and Design Economics
As an academic member of the Design Economics Coalition, Dr. Walter Balser brings a critical perspective on how education systems intersect with economic transformation. A clinical professor at the University of Florida and founder of the Foresight Leadership Lab, Balser explores the changing education ecosystem through the lens of decentralization. We asked him about his work and its connection to design economics.
Which tenet of design economics most connects to your academic focus, and why?
Intersections between learning, society and technology.
How has your academic work challenged traditional economic paradigms?
Changing education ecosystems—paradigmatically and economically—are abound, but they are often opaque, not acknowledged, or poorly studied or understood. We need new frameworks, pedagogy and discourse to move these conversations forward.
What creative methodologies do you use to approach economic questions?
Frameworks that intersect all three of these areas—society, economics/markets, and education.
What recent economic shifts have most influenced your research direction?
Decentralization of everything, but in education terms, decentralizing markets (private, public, blended) and modalities + how all of this impacts schooling as we know it.
About This Interview
Design Economics Coalition members complete a self-interview exploring how their work connects to the three tenets of design economics: acknowledging change, embracing creativity, and cultivating literacy. These responses help connect professionals across sectors who are working to evolve economic systems.
Interested in joining the coalition? Contact us to learn more about membership.