When I joined the LCF as an HPL I had to undertake the training in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
I believe these are fundamental and relevant topics which I’ve always tried my best to embrace, and to which I can personally relate because I am Spanish and I have lived abroad for few years.
Inclusion comes from many sources including culture, ethnicity, gender, and different learning abilities. My aim is to feel everyone welcome, a part of the group and in a safe space for sharing their thoughts and doubts. During my lectures, seminars and tutorials I seek to create an inclusive space where all the voices are heard.
My approach has had a number of elements:
- Group Sharing: Students introducing themselves verbally to the group when we meet for the first time, including the reasons behind their academic choice and their future goals. I realise not everyone is comfortable in introducing themselves verbally and I have given them the option of writing their introduction in Padlet.
- Learning the names of the students and naming them/asking them directly during the sessions.
- Knowing where they are coming from. I have had the opportunity of travelling a lot due to my corporate job and can often share stories related with their country of origin.
- Asking them for examples of their own relevant industry experience. Few of them have had the opportunity of working as design intern and their knowledge of sampling development is very valuable when we cover this topic during the unit.
- Creating small group activities where each student can participate in role playing.
Thanks to the PG Cert, I also incorporate the following ideas into my practice to increase the student’s inclusion and interaction:
- Creating Inclusive Briefs
- Ice Braker activity
- Teaching Technique 3-2-1
- Giving access to the materials of the session in advance: slides, key work and glossary.
- Other small group activities like Group Reading.
- Making them aware about diversity in the industry.