UC Riverside Graduate School of Education is proud to announce the launch of the Equity & Justice Research Series, a new speaker series that aims to engage the education research of GSOE students and faculty focused on equity and justice, and to also explore what equity and justice work looks like in practice. The series will be held throughout the academic year, and will invite researchers to present to students and faculty in an informal setting to encourage dialogue and discussion.  

“This research series helps the GSOE fulfill its mission to be a catalyst for interdisciplinary research and innovation,” said Dr. Eddie Comeaux, associate professor of higher education. “The series will provide a forum for the exchange, development, and synthesis of ideas between students and faculty, and will also help our community expand their network and foster new partnerships for future work.”

The first event will welcome Dr. Rita Kohli, associate professor in the Education, Society and Culture program, on Thursday, December 5^th from 3pm - 4pm. Dr. Kohli will be presenting “Behind School Doors: Resisting the Racialized Pushout of Teachers of Color.” The event is free, open to everyone. No RSVP required. 

GSOE is currently taking submissions for presenters. Presenters do not need to present advanced papers but may instead use the interaction with event participants to help refine their ideas and ongoing work. Students and faculty alike are encouraged to apply. If you’d like to be considered, send your name, presentation title, and abstract to Eddie Comeaux, eddie.comeaux@ucr.edu. 

Dr. Rita Kohli, Associate Professor, GSOE
"Behind School Doors: Resisting the Racialized Pushout of Teachers of Color"
No RSVP required

Thursday, December 5^th
3pm-4pm, Sproul 1215

Based on recent evidence that demonstrates how integral teachers of Color are to the success of students of Color, the need to diversify the teaching force has become a growing topic of concern among educational researchers, teacher educators, school leadership, and policy makers alike. As the focus shifts towards recruitment, however, educational stakeholders must still contend with the low retention rate of teachers of Color who leave the field 24% more per year that their white counterparts. Building on the narratives of justice-oriented teachers of Color, this talk will focus on the impact of racial climate on their professional experiences and wellbeing. It will also share tools teachers of Color use to navigate and resist racism, as well as offer recommendations for schools to be healthier and more racially positive professional environments.