Inclusive Leadership in Higher Education (Dr. Patrick Blessinger, 18 August, 11 am – 1 pm AEST)
CAULLT Grant Series
To register for this webinar, please click here.
The chief aim of inclusive leadership in higher education is to create a supportive and collaborative academic environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion for all throughout the institution. Inclusive leadership is rooted in the values of dignity, well-being, and accountability. Inclusive leadership addresses all aspects of teaching, learning, and curricular activities. Over the past several years, there has been a major shift in the leadership view of inclusion as one of simply widening access and supporting accommodation needs of specific groups (e.g., women and minorities) to the leadership view of inclusion as one of creating an institution-wide culture of inclusion where inclusivity and academic quality go hand-in-hand, where inclusion helps drive the institution’s core values, mission, and vision, and where inclusion is operationalized in the institution’s strategic and operational plans. Inclusive practices can also lead to improvements in admission, retention, and graduation rates. Core inclusive practices should be integrated into all quality assurance processes and include, among
others: cultivating respect for all faculty, staff, and student identities, backgrounds, and perspectives, promoting a caring, positive, and participatory academic environment, and fostering a mindset of understanding, collaboration, and support. Inclusive leaders aim to develop an inclusive culture that supports and ensures that everyone is treated with dignity and feels empowered to reach their potential. This workshop will address the key concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion and will give participants opportunities for reflection and practice via whole group lecture/discussions and small group learning activities/discussions (breakout rooms).
presenters
Professor Patrick Blessinger (St. John’s University, New York)
Dr. Patrick Blessinger is an adjunct associate professor of education at St. John’s University, an K-12 educator with the New York State Education Department, and chief research scientist of the International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association (in consultative status with the United Nations). Dr. Blessinger is the editor and author of many books and articles and he is an educational policy analyst and contributing writer with UNESCO’s Inclusive Policy Lab, University World News, The Hechinger Report, The Guardian, and Higher Education Tomorrow, among others. Dr. Blessinger teaches courses in education, leadership, and research methods, he serves on doctoral dissertation committees and on accreditation certification committees for various universities and schools. Dr. Blessinger founded and leads a global network of educators focused on improving teaching and learning around the world and he is an expert in leadership, democracy, rights, and sustainability. Dr. Blessinger is an adviser to leaders in education on a wide range of issues affecting basic and higher education. Dr. Blessinger has received several educational awards, including Fulbright Senior Scholar to Denmark (Department of State, USA), Governor’s Teaching Fellow (Institute of Higher Education, University of Georgia, USA), and Certified Educator (National Geographic Society, USA).
Patrick will be joined by a panel of leaders
Dr. Bobbi Porter (Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, California State University, Dominguez Hills, USA)
Dr. Peter Radoll (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Indigenous, Equity and Inclusion, Victoria University, Australia)
Dr. Lorri Santamaria (Director of Faculty Development and Inclusive Excellence, California Lutheran University, USA)
Dr. Abhilasha Singh (Vice President for Academic Affairs, The American University in the Emirates, UAE)
Prior to attending the webinar you may want to read some of Patrick’s recent work for background.
Inclusive Leadership in Higher Education: International Perspectives and Approaches
Humanising Higher Education via Inclusive Leadership
Creating Inclusive Curricula in Higher Education
Towards a More Equal, Inclusive Higher Education