Critical Race Design: Blending the Perspectives of Critical Race Theory and Social Design Experiments

• In Event: 18.072 - Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: 18.072-3 - Exploring Environment for Doing Science

Abstract

This paper proposes a new approach to design-based implementation research (DBIR; Snow, 2016) and examines its praxis as a model for developing learning environments. Critical Race Design (CRD) is a DBIR that connects critical race scholarship with the conceptualization of educational spaces. This paper will first describe the theoretical underpinnings of CRD as a blend of two distinct literatures - Critical Race Theory (Ladson-Billings & Tate, 1995) and an equity oriented DBIR method called Social Design Experiments (Gutierrez & Vossoughi, 2010). Second, this paper will explore how CRD has iteratively evolved in the context of an in-service community of practice program called E-Communities, an experiment intended to raise nondominant students’ and teachers’ ideation toward S.T.E.M. career pathways.

Authors

• Deena Khalil, Howard University

• Meredith Weaver Kier, College of William & Mary

• Joseph E Thomas, The College of William & Mary