Notes from ARLT SIG 18th March 2025 panel discussion – ‘Does Intersectionality Change Things?’

This blog includes a summary from our online panel discussion ‘Does Intersectionality Change Things?’ hosted by the Anti-Racism in Learning Technology Special Interest Group (ARLT SIG), as part of a series on ‘antiracism in learning technology and design’. The panel explored how learning design can be anti-racist and address other diverse needs at the same time, followed by a series of questions exploring critical approaches to design for antiracism. 

Our panellists are Esther Akinlabi and Melissa Holt-Brewster addressed the following questions: 

1. To what extent do racial experiences shape our decision making process? Is it all in our heads?

2. Why is it important to go beyond diversity and inclusion to explicitly focus on antiracism in education?

3. What role does intersectionality play in designing antiracist curricula, and how can we ensure multiple identities are acknowledged?

4. What are some concrete strategies educators and instructional designers can use to embed antiracist principles into curriculum development?

How can we make antiracist learning design accessible and practical for educators who may have limited resources or institutional support?

Esther Akinlabi is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering, she is currently serving as the Deputy Faculty Pro Vice Chancellor (DFPVC) for Research and Knowledge Exchange, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK. In her role as the DFPVC, she is the custodian of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the Faculty and also serves as the Deputy Chair of the Northumbria University Gender Steering Committee. In her most recent role, she served as the Director of the African Union Commission – Pan African University for Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), Ibadan, Nigeria. Prior to joining PAULESI, she had a decade of meritorious service at the Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa. At UJ, she served as the Head of Department of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Science and as the Vice Dean for Teaching and Learning of the Faculty. She has filed four patents, edited four books, published seven books, and authored/co-authored many peer reviewed publications.

Esther discusses the importance of anti-racist learning design and intersectionality. Anti-racist learning design aims to challenge and dismantle racism by centring diverse perspectives, promoting critical thinking, and fostering equitable practices in teaching and learning. Drawing from her experiences with the decolonization of knowledge movement in South Africa, Esther emphasises the need for continuous awareness and stakeholder involvement in creating inclusive educational standards.

Melissa Holt-Brewster is a seasoned Organisational Development practitioner. She has over 20 years’ experience of working across Local Authorities and the NHS, where most recently she engaged in anti-racism work on a personal and organisational level, supporting the organisation to deliver on a public commitment to becoming an anti-racist organisation. She is a skilled consultant, facilitator, coach, coach supervisor and workplace mediator. She brings energy, empathy, passion for workplace equalities and practical experience of supporting and developing teams in complex services. She currently works as a Senior Teaching Fellow at Liverpool John Moores University and is the Programme Manager for the NHS Leadership Academy ‘Elizabeth Garrett Anderson’ Healthcare Leadership Masters programme. She is also studying for a Doctorate in Business Administration- Thesis topic Anti-Racism, Allyship and Psychological Safety in the NHS.

Melissa shared her background in organizational development and her involvement in anti-racism projects, highlighting the importance of learners feeling that they belong and matter. Melissa provided practical strategies and reassurance in the process of unlearning and challenging perfectionism in anti-racist learning design. She also stresses the need for educators to invest in themselves and be aware of their own beliefs, mindsets, and biases.

The discussion covers various strategies for embedding anti-racist principles into curriculum development, such as using case studies, creating different assessment pathways, and diversifying course content. Both Esther and Melissa emphasize the importance of intersectionality and the need to acknowledge multiple identities through student voice and stakeholder engagement. They also discuss the challenges of making anti-racist learning design accessible and practical for educators with limited resources or institutional support, highlighting the importance of personal investment and continuous awareness-raising efforts.

This summary is only a snapshot of a great session, and we strongly encourage you to watch the recording!

ALT ARLTSIG: Does intersectionality change things?