DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE
I am committed to fostering safe, restorative, inclusive learning/creative environments that celebrate diversity, promote equity, and value the unique perspectives each collaborator/student brings to the community. Where inequities and injustice exist, I am an ally, an advocate, and an activist for justice, reform, healing, and growth for all marginalized individuals and communities.
My approach to education centers around creating safe spaces where every student feels seen, heard, and empowered to thrive academically and personally. Through course creation, I incorporate student-centered learning goals that draw from diverse voices, perspectives, and cultural narratives. By actively seeking materials and texts representing a wide range of experiences, I provide students with access to educational content and experiences beyond traditional Western Eurocentric narratives.
I implement the concept of a “living syllabus” in my courses. With the goal of supporting an empowering, accessible, and inclusive learning environment where the focus is on the acquisition of knowledge and skill building that students can relate to, my students are encouraged to contribute to course materials and to suggest adaptations to reflect current social, cultural, and global issues. This approach ensures that the content remains relevant to the current group, responsive to societal changes, and allows for the continuous integration of diverse voices and perspectives.
I believe in fostering an atmosphere that inspires continuous conversation, reflection, and intentional consideration of research methods, narrative analysis, design processes, and production practices. In design, research, and analysis students and collaborators are encouraged to recognize and address their own implicit biases while engaging in open discussions about the impact of stereotypes—both positive and negative—within creative endeavors.
I prioritize inclusive research practices in both my own creative work and as an educator. This commitment has driven me to initiate a research agenda focused on developing inclusive research methods and a platform to connect communities and creatives. I teach students to seek out resources that are directly relevant to their project, to recognize when they are relying on generalizations, and to take the time to ensure that they are not unintentionally perpetuating negative stereotypes.
My approach to design and production incorporates methods and tools that facilitate critical examination of narratives from diverse perspectives. Through open discussions, collaborative projects, and thought-provoking assignments, I create an educational environment that challenges preconceived notions and nurtures a dedication to responsible and inclusive storytelling.
In summary, my commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is fundamental to my teaching philosophy and my methods as a creator. My classrooms are places where students can develop a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and commit to promoting equity in their future endeavors.