The minority research profile at Åbo Akademi University invites you to its fifth annual seminar that will take place in Vaasa, Finland from May 6th to 8th, 2020. The 2020 theme is “Curriculums for Social Justice” with the aim to collectively discuss how to develop justice-oriented pedagogies. With permeating signs of racism, harassment and violence, as well as increasing social inequalities both locally and globally, there is a need to reflect on the role of education in relation to social justice.

Social justice is not restricted to questions of material deprivation or differences in income, but also considers other aspects of social life, such as cultures, identities, environments and epistemologies. There is a need for reflection on how we – as educators, researchers, students, activists, and most importantly, human beings – can consider these burning and often controversial topics.
The theme of the seminar implies the salience of diverse voices and perspectives, thus we have chosen not to set predetermined subthemes. The working groups will be formed based on the submissions received. With that said, the following topics may act as inspiration:

Educational materials for critical pedagogies
Student and staff activism
Decolonial approaches to education
Peace education
Teaching as resistance
Culturally and linguistically responsive teaching
Teaching and learning in global contexts
Educational governance and advocacy
Hegemonic struggles within education
Minority, identities and intersectionality
Voices and values within education and curriculum development
Differentiation and social justice: special education, students with disabilities, gifted students, vocational students, immigrant students, refugee students, and trauma-informed practice

Confirmed keynote speakers at the seminar are:
Vanessa Andreotti (University of British Columbia),
Audrey Bryan (Dublin City University),
Nancy Commins & Kara Viesca (University of Colorado, Denver & University of Nebraska, Lincoln, joint keynote),
Pigga Keskitalo (University of Lapland),
Mariana Souto-Manning (Teachers College, Columbia University),
Greg Wiggan (University of North Carolina, Charlotte)