Training & Education

Faculty education

Creating racially inclusive classrooms

The White Racial Literacy Project presents this yearlong, monthly interactive faculty webinar, featuring Dr. Kathy Obear of the Center for Transformation and Change.

Faculty enrolled in this workshop will take part in an experience that will change the way they see the classroom, understand how whiteness shows up in the classroom and curriculum, and learn skills to ensure all students are included in and have the opportunity to learn from the courses they teach.

Have a question? Ready to get involved? Send an email to wrlhp@iupui.edu.

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.

Implicit bias: What is it?

Implicit biases are defined by the Kirwin Institute as attitudes or stereotypes that are activated unconsciously and involuntarily. They are not the same as biases a person might try to hide because they're unpopular or socially incorrect. Social scientists believe implicit biases are learned as young as age three and may be fueled by stereotypes perpetrated by the media, or beliefs passed along by parents, peers, and other community members. 

Harvard University Project Implicit
Free, online, implicit bias tests are offered by Harvard University’s Project Implicit Program. There are a number of short tests available on the site

The DEI offers Implicit Bias Workshops with facilitation provided by the Peace Learning Center.  

Learn about Implicit Bias training opportunities at IUPUI

Instructor talking to two elementary-age students at science event.
Instructor showing medical model of arm to two students.
Black woman holding notepad in front of audience at event.