Integrating Anti-racist Pedagogy in Higher Education

Integrating Anti-racist Pedagogy in Higher Education  

What is this Research About?

Teaching race, racism, and racial justice presents unique challenges in university classrooms. Students may express misinformation and bias about race. White students may respond defensively. This can result in racist behaviour directed at students of colour. Instructors may hesitate to intervene. Students of colour may participate less if racism is not addressed in the classroom. Students may hold racial bias against instructors. This can undermine instructors’ authority. In this study, the researchers investigated best practices of anti-racist pedagogy across academic disciplines. They identified four guiding principles for course planning and five strategies for managing classroom dynamics to address these challenges. 

What did the Researchers Do?

The researchers observed and participated in two learning communities over one academic year. These communities reflected on racialized power in university classrooms. One community included faculty members and one included graduate students. Both groups represented scholars across academic disciplines. The researchers also compiled data from existing literature and peer-reviewed work from women and non-binary scholars. In total, they studied 69 articles, books, and book chapters on anti-racist education. Their research identified common challenges that instructors face when teaching anti-racism. The researchers compiled anti-racist teaching practices that are relevant across discipline and institutional contexts.  

What did the Researchers Find?

The researchers found that challenges in teaching anti-racist pedagogy can be addressed before and during class. Instructors can include racially diverse perspectives and scaffolded readings in their syllabi. This can disrupt students’ misconceptions about race. Instructors may need to include diverse forms of assessment to gauge student learning. During class, it’s important to build trust and belonging, while allowing for conflict. Students are encouraged to consider their biases with self-reflective exercises such as autobiographical journaling or essays. The researchers found that it’s important to acknowledge collective memory and the emotional reality of lived experiences. This is central to anti-racist pedagogy. 

→ How to Implement this Research in Your Classroom

An increasing number of university instructors are committed to teaching racial justice. Challenges that arise in the classroom make it difficult to teach this content effectively. The researchers studied literature and peer-reviewed articles on anti-racist education alongside community reflection. They synthesized the data into guiding principles for course planning and effective classroom strategies. Instructors can implement this research by integrating key ideas, like colonialism, in their curriculum. This allows students to examine race in socio-historical contexts instead of in isolation. Instructors can engage students’ arguments even when they are flawed. Addressing challenges with inquiry can encourage self-reflection and critical thinking.   

→  Citation

Harbin, M.B., Thurber, A., & Bandy, J. (2019). Teaching Race, Racism, and Racial Justice: Pedagogical Principles and Classroom Strategies for Course Instructors. Race and Pedagogy Journal, 4 (1), https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/rpj/vol4/iss1/1 

→  Keywords

  • Teaching Race
  • Antiracist Pedagogy
  • Racial Equity
  • Racial Justice
  • Antiracist Education  

Creative Commons by logo This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Canada License

Snapshot Writer: Alex Cafarelli

Snapshot Publication Date: 2024

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