People, Places and Spaces: Education in Robert Owen’s New Society

Robert Owen's educational innovations at New Lanark, particularly his emphasis on experiential learning and play-based education, significantly influenced social reform agendas of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Unlike traditional formal education, Owen prioritized informal learning, drawing inspiration from Pestalozzi's methods while distinguishing himself from contemporaries like Andrew Bell and Joseph Lancaster. The study examines how spatial factors—such as New Lanark's strategic location on a prime water power site, the cultural geography of mid-Wales, and migration patterns from Wales and the Scottish Highlands—informed Owen's educational approach. It highlights the small-scale yet impactful design of his Institute and School within the broader community, offering insights into how environmental context shaped his social experiments.

Donnachie, I. (2014). People, Places and Spaces: Education in Robert Owen’s New Society. Informal Education, Childhood and Youth, 81–96. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137027733_6