Difficult Conversations Faculty Seminars
Started in the fall of 2020, these seminars focus on creating a space for faculty and staff to discuss issues that often arise when incorporating content in the classroom that may be uncomfortable for them and/or their students. Faculty facilitators engage participants in discussions about how to have conversations often avoided in the classroom such as anti-racism, free speech and political division. The series uses a variety of formats including panel discussions, spotlighted speakers, breakout room discussions and forums. Our hope is this programming will help support faculty who want to integrate these important conversations into the wider breadth of their teaching work for the benefit of their students.
Want to submit an anonymous question for Difficult Conversations - submit it here.
Upcoming Event Dates and Zoom Links
Wednesday, November 3 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
(Format is a combined panel and full group discussion)- Topic: The Politics of Teaching Race in Higher Education
- Location Information: John A. Delaney Student Union Ballroom (3703)
- Panelists: Drs. Felicia Bevel, Rudy Jamison, Adrienne Lerner and Jenny Stuber
- Host: Commission on Diversity & Inclusion (Office of Diversity & Inclusion)
Past Events:
Monday, April 5 from Noon to 1:30 p.m.
(Format will be panel discussion)
- Topic: Challenges of Free Speech and Academic Freedom in the Classroom
- Zoom Information: This session has been completed.
- Panelists:
- John Reis (General Counsel)
- Dr. Hope (Bess) Wilson (UFF-UNF)
- Dr. Adrienne Lerner (Political Science and Public Administration)
- Dr. John Kantner (Research and Sponsored Programs)
- Marlynn Jones, JD (Equal Opportunity & Inclusion)
- Moderator: Dr. Angela Mann
- Facilitators: Drs. Karen Patterson, Chau Kelly, John White, Jenni Lieberman, Sophie Filibert, Parvez Ahmed, Linda Howell, Curtis Phills, Rudy Jamison and Chris Janson
- Host: Commission on Diversity & Inclusion (Office of Diversity & Inclusion)
Thursday, Feb. 11 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 p.m.
- Topic: Teaching in a Politically Divisive Climate
- Zoom Information: This session has been completed
- Speaker and Moderator: Dr. Chau Kelly
- Facilitators: Drs. Karen Patterson, John White, Jenni Lieberman, Sophie Filibert, Angela Mann, Parvez Ahmed, Linda Howell, Curtis Phills, Rudy Jamison and Chris Janson
- Host: Commission on Diversity & Inclusion (Office of Diversity & Inclusion)
Thursday, Nov. 12 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 p.m.
- Topic: Challenges and Solutions for Resistance to Anti-Racism Teaching
- Zoom Information: This session has been completed
- Speakers: Drs. Christopher Janson and Rudolph Jamison
- Moderators: Drs. Karen Patterson and John White
- Facilitators: Drs. Chau Kelly, Jenni Lieberman, Sophie Filibert, Parvez Ahmed, Linda Howell, Rudy Jamison, Chris Janson, Curtis Phills, Chris Johnson, John White, Karen Patterson
Thursday, Oct. 8 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 p.m.
(Format was brief panel discussion followed by open discussion)- Topics: Institutional and departmental struggles with antiracist and decolonization teaching and research, what does it mean to integrate anti-racism into curriculum and pedagogy
- Zoom Information: This session has been completed
- Panelists: Drs. Rudy Jamison, Chau Kelly and Curtis Phills,
- Moderators: Drs. Karen Patterson and John White
- Speakers: Ms. Whitney Meyer and Drs. Linda Howell and Angela Mann
Thursday, Oct. 22 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 p.m.
(Format was focused discussion around spotlighted faculty examples)- Topic: Faculty members will share how they are integrating anti-racism into their teaching
- Zoom Information: This session has been completed
- Speakers: Drs. Chau Kelly, Jenni Lieberman, Sophie Filibert, Parvez Ahmed and Linda Howell
- Moderators: Drs. Karen Patterson and John White