Brave: Rethinking the Concept of "Safe Space" in Education

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

Academic “Safe Spaces” were first introduced to allow marginalized student communities opportunities to process their experiences. Over time, however, the concept has been challenged for not addressing underlying issues present within university settings. The panelists will address the concept of “Safe Spaces” while discussing how moving towards “Brave Spaces” by acknowledging power, privilege, and oppression is important for student success. During this session, panelists will suggest how students can engage in their own courageous mentorship and how they can support their own emerging critical scholarship. This session continues the conversation from the 2020 Presidential Session “Preparing for Tomorrow Today: Foundation Building for a New Generation of Educational Researchers.”

Sub Unit

• Graduate Student Council

Chair

• Dèsa Karye Daniel, The University of New Mexico

Panelists

• Brian Arao

• Samuel D. Museus, University of California - San Diego

• Karen Bussey, Institute for Higher Education Policy