The series called “Dialogical spaces for a diverse university” aims to make the UTcommunity to reflect critically on structural issues affecting diversity and inclusion in our research, education and practices. During eight online sessions we will discuss topics such as inclusive education and critical pedagogies, de-colonizing the curriculum, shaping universities for gender diversity, and discussions around race and technology in research. Cross-cutting these themes, we will continuously ask: What are we doing in our day-to-day academic practices, which is not, directly or indirectly, promoting diversity and inclusion behaviors, actions, and dynamics? And, what can we do, at both individual and institutional levels, to address this?
In this first session, Dr. Aminata Cairo will join us as our main guest.
Aminata Cairo is an independent consultant and the former Lector of Inclusive Education at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (2017 – 2020). Born and raised in the Netherlands to Surinamese parents, she left for the US to pursue her college education. She obtained Master’s Degrees in Clinical Psychology and Medical Anthropology and a Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology. As an international woman of color she experienced firsthand the challenges of diversity and inclusion. In her applied anthropological work with students, education and community organizations she has continually strived to promote inclusion at both the academic and the community level. She received the International Education Faculty Achievement Award and the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian award at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2013 for her efforts. In 2016 she received the Honorary Order of the Palm, a state decoration by the Government of Suriname for her contribution in culture.