International recommendations on diversity-sensitive and inclusive teaching published

The University of Jyväskylä is leading the Skills and Competences Mission of the alliance, which includes also topical themes such as inclusion and equality. The project has just completed a report "Joint recommendations on diversity-sensitive and inclusive teaching", which offers recommendations and tips for inclusive teaching. The recommendations have been compiled in international collaboration and are based on a survey of best practice examples as well as national legislations and institutional circumstances for diversity-sensitive and 
inclusive teaching at FORTHEM universities.

“The Alliance's Diversity & Inclusion Unit carried out an extensive survey of national and university policies, recommendations and legislation on diversity and inclusion. The diversity of policies and legislative divergences across nine countries and universities did not make the analysis easy, which is why it is especially pleasing to see the finalized recommendations”, says Senior Lecturer Päivi Kousa, who leads the Enhancing future skills development through innovative pedagogy work package. She hopes that the report will be helpful in developing diversity and inclusion work at universities and in teaching. FORTHEM's work on the topic is continuing and teacher training, among other things, is planned in this area.

Document offers ten initial recommendations for diversity-sensitive and inclusive teaching, a practical approach aimed directly at teachers, on the following aspects: diversity-sensitive space, anti-discriminatory curricula, accessible teaching material, inclusive language, diversity-sensitive lecture planning, diversity-sensitive planning of non-teaching events, diversity-sensitive planning of field trips, diversity-sensitive interactions in the classroom, diversity-sensitive advising and accessible social media content. In addition, the recommendations include questions for self-reflection, and helpful tips or further points to ponder. 

More information:

• FORTHEM Alliance's Diversity & Inclusion Unit
• Saskia Mahal, mahal@uni-mainz.de 
• Päivi Kousa, paivi.m.kousa@jyu.fi