Inclusive and Antiracist Pedagogies

Developing EJI-Focused Course Materials through Workshops and Small-Group Cohort Support

Overview

Instructors in CAS strive to ensure that their classrooms, no matter the subject matter, are spaces where all students can learn and thrive. Many instructors have indicated immense anxiety around engaging in difficult conversations about highly politicized topics as well as an overwhelming desire to learn how to best approach these conversations in the classroom and elsewhere. Others have expressed concern about meeting the new digital accessibility requirements. Others want a community of practice as they engage with UW's Core Elements of Effective Teaching.

For AY 2026-27, the College continues a two-pronged initiative, which includes offering 1) a series of programming concerning curricular development and inclusive pedagogies, and 2) a small-group cohort where participants engage with the workshop lessons and each other over a quarter to develop concrete materials for their departments and their classrooms.

AY 26-27 Workshops

Continuing our partnership from last two academic years, UW-IT Accessible Technology Services (ATS), UW’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), and CAS will offer a series of workshops in multiple formats throughout the year

Making a Plan with ATS’s Mary-Colleen Jenkins

The college and UW have been creating resources to assist faculty and staff in meeting the Department of Justice’s new rule on digital accessibility, which requires the University’s web content, including academic course content, to be accessible by April 2027.

The College will host one 2-hour workshop per quarter. The first hour will be a Lunch and Learn, an informal virtual space where people can learn about a topic, followed by a 1-hour strategy lab for individuals and teams who want to apply what they learn.

Friday November 6th, 12-2pm — PDF Backlog

Friday January 22nd, 11am-1pm — Course Materials

Friday May 7th, 11am-1pm — What Do I Do Now?

Register for Making a Plan virtual workshops

Growth-Oriented Teaching with the CTL

On Friday February 26th from 10:30am-12pm, the CTL will facilitate a virtual workshop where participants consider inclusive pedagogy in our institutional context. They will provide resources and strategies to help instructors create growth-oriented teaching practices and build meta-cognitive learning activities into courses. This will be an interactive workshop with opportunities to engage in activities and discussions.  

Register for CTL virtual workshop

Campus Resources

If you are unable to attend these workshops, you can find other campus workshops and resources here:

 

Autumn 2026 Accessibility POP (Progress over Perfection) Sessions with ATS

For instance, ATS will hold POP sessions — 60-minute interactive workshops focusing on one particular accessibility topic or skill. Each session consists of instruction (15 to 20 minutes), practice and question time (30 minutes), and final reflection.

Audience: All members of the UW community, regardless of role or skill level.
Schedule: Select Wednesdays during Autumn Quarter, on Zoom, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Small Group Cohort Support

Summary

The second part of the initiative convenes small group meetings that scaffold the winter workshops. Leveraging the lessons and skills learned in the workshops, this cohort of eight instructors will meet four times during winter quarter to design or revamp courses as well as create course modules that “encourage thinking critically on topics such as power, inequality, marginality, equity, and justice, and promote effective communication across differences.” (Div Task Force Report).

Goals

By working with others in a cohort, participants receive peer mentorship around classroom EJI interventions and create a community of practice so that they don’t have to grow their EJI practice alone. Participants have the opportunity to present their course materials, share their process of developing and building their skills, and get feedback from the cohort. Participants will also provide feedback on pedagogical materials that Associate Dean Smith is creating for the College.

Requirements

Participants in the cohort are required to attend the winter workshop. You also need to attend four 1.5-hour Friday meetings with your cohort throughout the winter quarter (exact dates and time TBD). Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a $1,000 course development grant to support the continued creation/modifications of your courses.

The application consists of a short essay (200-250 words) on why you want to participate and a syllabus abstract (500-750 words) that includes a course title, a clear articulation of course outcomes and learning objectives, a description of how and why you intend to structure your course, and the type of readings, weekly themes, activities, assignments, and/or projects that will help you effectively reach desired instructional goals.

While anyone can participate in the workshops, only faculty are eligible for the cohort. 

Apply for the cohort