Developing an inclusive curriculum can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to reflecting on the racial element. It might involve questions such as \u201cdo I know enough about it?\u201d, \u201cdo texts in reading list offend people of colour?\u201d, or \u201chow do I make sure that I did enough to reflect inclusivity when teaching my subject?\u201d<\/p>\n
To enhance our confidence in dealing with the problems surrounded by ensuring inclusivity in curricula, the 3D Pedagogy Virtual Workshop provided us with a valuable, holistic approach to strengthen the sense of belonging of students of colour, as illustrated by analogy with Harper Lee\u2019s, To Kill a Mockingbird, (the title of this blog refers to a quotation from Atticus Finch in the book \u201cshe was afraid of heights, but she was much more afraid of never flying\u201d). Learning from this, it is better to think about race in your teaching, rather than to fear it.<\/p>\n
On 28th<\/sup> April 2021, an event funded by Student Success and jointly hosted by the School of Politics and International Relations and the School of Psychology, welcomed Dr Deborah Gabriel to share her insight into enhancing higher education practice through the 3D Pedagogy Framework to decolonise, democratise and diversify the curriculum. Around 50 participants representing various schools across the University showed their interest in learning about the framework.<\/p>\n A key message conveyed by the event was that the colour \u2018nude\u2019 is not \u2018one size fits all\u2019: we need to factor different colours of \u2018nude\u2019 into our teaching.<\/p>\n \u201cWhite privilege, which is very kind of hidden, is something that means the curriculum, or the degree programme somehow seems to be made for you. It fits very well, for example, if we look at something simple, that colour \u2018nude\u2019. If you are a white person a nude dress is one that is close to your skin colour, or like tights that melt on the skin, matches your skin tone, like a plaster. This is just to demonstrate that if you are a person of colour, something never seems to fit, doesn\u2019t seem to quite fit you, whereas it fits white people\u2026\u201d <\/em>(Deborah Gabriel)<\/p>\n This event received excellent feedback, and inspired ideas for using the framework – Prof Robbie Sutton, the Head of School of Psychology, proposed that schools in the Division should jointly develop new cross disciplinary modules focussing on race and racism.<\/p>\n Dr Tolga Duygun<\/strong><\/p>\n Student Success Development Officer<\/strong><\/p>\n For those who missed the 3D Pedagogy Workshop, a recording of the event can be accessed via the following link:<\/p>\n