Discussing Decolonisation: ‘Courageous Conversations’ – An in-person workshop with Dr Karen Lipsedge

This is the fourth event of our six-part mini-series, ‘Discussing Decolonisation’, taking place in person and online across the academic year 2023-24. Find out more and book your place at other events in the series here.

You can also read more about our intentions for the series and community expectations here.

Title: Courageous Conversations: What, Why, How?

Summary:

The aim of this 90-minute interactive discussion-based Courageous Conversations workshop is to give participants the skills and confidence they need to have courageous conversations about topics we tend to shy away from, such as racial identity, gender and social class. Having a courageous conversation can be challenging, but by using practical examples and scenarios, this workshop will equip participants with the skills they need to cross cultural boundaries with respect, tolerance and professionalism.In the session we will work together to construct a safe space in which you can enhance your awareness and appreciation of our cultural similarities and differences while avoiding stereotypes or marginalisation.

Participants will leave with a co-curated practical toolkit to continue to have courageous conversations as part of their everyday practice, and adapt the skills acquired for use in their own teaching and learning environment.

Speaker bio:

Dr Karen Lipsedge is an Associate Professor in English Literature at Kingston University (KU). Her teaching contributes to the School of the Humanities and the Arts, and her research focuses on eighteenth-century domestic space, interiors, the relationship between objects and people, and the novel. Karen is also part of the Directorate for Access, Participation & Inclusion, Students, at KU, where she works as a Senior Adviser for Teaching and Learning. Her portfolio includes leading the Writing and Oral Skills (WOS) Project and the KU Reading Group for staff and students. She is also an academic contact for KU’s Harassment Scheme. Karen also has several external roles, including being a Trustee of the National Education Opportunities Network and the Chair of NEON’s Diverse Learners’ group; a reviewer of RECM and NTFS applications; the external for Goldsmith University’s MA in Black British Literature; and the Vice-President and Access and Inclusion co-lead for the British Eighteenth-Century Society.

Booking information:

Booking for this event, and all events in the mini-series, is via Eventbrite.

If you have any questions or concerns ahead of the event, please email co-organisers Lucy Potter (l.potter@yorksj.ac.uk) and/or Laura Key (l.key@yorksj.ac.uk) from the Teaching & Learning Enhancement Team, YSJU.