Workshop - Diversity(Squared) Teaching in Biology

Featuring Dr. Aramati Casper Biology, as well as STEM more generally, values simplicity and parsimony in explanations. Yet oversimplifications, in teaching and practice, often lead to narrow approaches that can cause multiple harms, such as supporting the biologically unfounded idea that sex is simply binary, and suggesting that scientists are not responsible for the social implications of our work. In this workshop Dr. Casper will share insights from zer research and teaching, focused on synergistic integration of the complexity and social contextuality that are inherent in the practice of science. Workshop participants will engage with their own teaching materials and content areas to apply these strategies to their own courses to help students learn the integrated, complex, and holistic nature of science, countering the prevalent social-technical dualism. While Dr. Casper will primarily draw from examples in biology, zer work spans biology and engineering, and participants with a wide range of content area foci are welcome. As well as faculty, ze welcomes graduate students with teaching experience and/or interests who are ready to engage in conversations about improving teaching! Registration required. Co-sponsored by the Department of Biology, the Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program, and the LGBTQIA+ Faculty & Staff Center. Hosted by Karen Warkentin, Biology & WGS