This proposal examines the role of material agency in fostering human sustainability through Deleuze’s philosophy, using the Remida Center as an exemplary case study and exploring its impact across diverse cultural contexts. Deleuze posits that materials possess their own agency, contributing to the dynamic interplay between human and non-human elements (Deleuze & Guattari, 1987). This perspective aligns with the Remida Center's approach, which emphasizes the use of waste industrial materials to inspire creativity and sustainability in education. The Remida Center, based in Reggio Emilia, Italy, epitomizes the practical application of new materialism in early childhood education. By engaging with materials, students and educators develop a heightened awareness of human entanglement with the world. Our study employs collaborative autoethnography of two researchers (one Italian and one Korean-American) to explore their experiences with educators and students interacting with Remida’s or Remida-inspired materials in various international settings, including Korea, the United States, and Italy. Through reflective narratives, we analyze how these interactions influence their understanding of sustainability and material agency. Preliminary findings suggest that the Remida approach cultivates a sense of responsibility and creativity, embodying Deleuze’s concept of material vitality (Deleuze & Guattari, 1987). Drawing on Latour’s Actor-Network Theory (Latour, 2005), and Karen Barad’s concept of agential realism (Barad, 2007), we frame our discussion within a broader theoretical context. We define international education in light of new materialism by emphasizing how material agency problematizes cultural and geographic barriers and demonstrates how a respectful engagement with materials leads to educational outcomes in diverse contexts.

Authors:
Eloisa Di Rocco, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
Sohyun Meacham, University of Northern Iowa, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Eloisa Di Rocco is currently a PhD student in “Reggio Childhood Studies” at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Umimore) and the research contact person for the Remida Center, a project of the Reggio Children's Foundation.

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