Tackling Racism Workshop: Establishing Structures and Systems to Tackle Racism and Promote Equity in our Schools and Universities

21 April

Dr Eleanor Parker leads planning and projects in the University of Bath’s student-facing Skills Centre in the UK. She has worked on a variety of diversity and equity initiatives, in both academic faculty and professional support roles in UK Higher Education. This has included leading on inclusive curriculum at the University of Bath, being an anti-harassment, inclusion and implicit bias trainer at both Bath and the University of Oxford, and as Director of the fair and equitable admissions staff development programme at the University of Oxford. She believes strongly in the link between equity initiatives and wellbeing and won the 2017 University of Oxford Students' Union Teaching Award for Outstanding Pastoral Support, nominated by her students. Eleanor has collaborated with CIS on projects related to student transition to Higher Education and anti-racist and equity practices. She has a first-class BA (Hons), Masters and doctorate in modern languages from the University of Oxford in the UK.

21 April

Dr Erin Robinson is the Middle School principal, DEI Coordinator, United World College Southeast Asia, Singapore. She is deeply appreciative of the opportunities to grow up in diverse environments as a Third Culture Kid (TCK). From an early age, Erin came to experience the significance of compassion, perspective taking, and developing a sense of relatedness with others who are different from yourself. This evolved into a passion for pursuing intercultural competence, social justice, equity, inclusion, and peace. Erin currently serves as middle school principal and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) co-lead at United World College of Southeast Asia. She holds a PhD in educational leadership and her doctoral work focused on cultural competency in education with additional research interests in student voice, student engagement, and outdoor education. Throughout her career, Erin has sought opportunities to support students, staff, and parents in further developing intercultural understanding and developing equitable and inclusive school environments. With fifteen years’ experience in DEI across the US and Asia, Erin also enjoys consulting with schools and providing professional development in DEI, anti-bias recruitment, cultural competency, inclusive leadership, and culturally responsive pedagogy.

22 April

Nicole L.B. Furlonge, Professor of Practice and Director of the Klingenstein Center, earned her Ph.D. in English from the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her M.A. from the University of Michigan and B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Teachers College, Dr. Furlonge served as Director of Teaching and Learning at the Holderness School, where she facilitated professional learning for faculty and developed LEARNS (Listening, Engaging, Asking, Reflecting, Networking, Sharing), a framework for formative professional learning and inquiry. She has taught English and served as English Department Chair and Director of Diversity at several independent schools, including St. Andrew's School (Delaware), The Lawrenceville School, and Princeton Day School. Dr. Furlonge is the author of Race Sounds: The Art of Listening in African American Literature, published by University of Iowa Press. Her book demonstrates listening as an interpretive, creative, and civic act that leads to deeper engagement with identity and racial difference. Currently, Dr. Furlonge’s research examines the intersections between listening, cognitive neuroscience, cultural competency, school leadership and adult learning. Ultimately, she is interested in investigating ways to cultivate the habits of a listening mind.

22 April

Judith King-Calnek, PhD has been a member of the UNIS community since 1994. During that time, Judith has served as teacher (TH anthropology, IB theory of knowledge, history, and MS humanities), head of department (humanities), president of staff association, and a UNIS parent. Judith became the school’s first Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in 2020.

Judith holds a PhD in comparative education and anthropology from Teachers College Columbia University, two master’s degrees (curriculum and teaching; anthropology and education) from the same institution, and a BA from Pomona College. She has taught at Manhattanville College, in Brazil, and has conducted extensive research in Brazil and the US on the intersection(s) of race/colour, education and citizenship. Judith is also an IB examiner for social and cultural anthropology. Prior to UNIS, Judith was part of a consulting team managing a workforce initiative with an emphasis on diversity in the workplace at a manufacturing company in Connecticut.

Additionally, Judith has worked for more than 30 years as a radio programmer and producer of Brazilian music and jazz, for which she has received numerous commendations.

21 April

Chris Green is a School Support and Evaluation Officer for CIS. She supports schools undertaking accreditation which has the development of intercultural competency and global citizenship as one of the driving principles that underpins this school improvement process. She has facilitated workshops at regional conferences and symposia focused on developing intercultural competency. Chris is also a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). Chris has held leadership positions in international schools in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean over the past 30 years. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Edinburgh.

22 April

Ann Straub is an International Advisor for CIS. She supports a variety of projects including CIS Global Citizenship Services. She is a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and trains teachers and educational leaders who are strategically focused on developing intercultural competency and global citizens, intercultural leadership, and intercultural learning to promote diversity and inclusion. Ann was previously the Director of Curriculum and Staff Development at the International School of Bangkok and a trainer for the Principals' and Teachers’ Training Center in Miami and London. She holds a master’s degree and a Certificate of Education Leadership from the State University of New York.