Editorial to [Planning for possibilities through critical pragmatism. John Forester in conversation with Giusy Pappalardo and Martin Westin]

The editorial reflects on the role of the AESOP Young Academics Conversations in Planning booklet series as a platform for intergenerational exchange and collective learning within planning scholarship. Drawing on the editor’s experience as author, editor, editorial board member, and Editor-in-Chief, it highlights how the series fosters dialogue between emerging and established scholars, creating opportunities to develop intellectual skills while engaging with diverse perspectives on planning theory and practice. The editorial argues that the cultural value of the series lies in its capacity to place individual academic trajectories within broader international debates, transforming personal experiences and intellectual journeys into shared reflections and future research directions. Within this framework, the booklet on John Forester is presented as an example of how conversations with senior scholars can generate both retrospective understanding and prospective inquiry. The editorial identifies several themes emerging from the volume—including the political nature of planning, the importance of learning from practice, the productive role of conflict, the significance of relational and practical skills, and the contribution of critical pragmatism—but primarily emphasizes their value as resources for reflection and knowledge exchange. Ultimately, the editorial presents the booklet series as a means of connecting generations of scholars and practitioners, supporting the continuous renewal of planning knowledge through dialogue, critical reflection, and engagement with future challenges.