The successful author of three books (Turn the Tide, …But I’m Not Racist, and In it for the Long Haul), with over 30 years of experience specializing in conflict resolution, change management and creating inclusive environments, Dr. Kathy Obear is a leading expert in helping to establish socially just spaces where everyone feels valued and respected. As the founder of The Center for Transformation and Change, Dr. Obear has given speeches, facilitated workshops and consulted with top leaders in hundreds of universities, human services organizations and corporations across the United States and internationally with a goal to increase the passion, competence and commitment to create inclusive, socially just environments for all members of the organization.
Identifying and dealing with whiteness in instruction, classroom dynamics, handling micro-aggressions, managing difficult conversations, etc. In addition to a revised racially-inclusive syllabus, faculty participants will present final projects (i.e., an inclusive teaching resource list for their discipline, their own 30- minute webinar to be shared in their units, or some other idea approved by session organizers).
The yearlong workshop includes reviewing 30-minute informational recordings Dr. Obear makes specifically for IUPUI prior to virtual in- person sessions with Dr. Obear to unpack the information shared in the recordings, group work and discussions. In addition, faculty will take “deep dives” into subjects on alternating months in preparation for the next 30-minute recorded and virtual in-person sessions with Dr. Obear.
Sessions meet monthly: September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11, February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14.
In addition to the professional development opportunity afforded through participation in this yearlong workshop, faculty are encouraged to add participation in “Creating Racially Inclusive Classrooms” in the annual DMAI Report and to record attendance in the “myCTL” display.