Imagining a Humanized Academia for the Graduate Student Worker Class

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Eighteen
  In Roundtable Session: Building Justice-Oriented Communities in Education (Table 15)

Abstract

The challenges of graduate education are broadly acknowledged and increase dramatically for marginalized students, but recommendations for improvement frequently focus on the behavior and attitudes of individuals. In this theoretical paper we use DisCrit to analyze composite stories based on our lived experiences and to develop contrasting, imaginary stories. Through these stories we illustrate how the tenets of DisCrit and the insight of critical activists can help critical educators envision a more humanized academia. We hope that sharing these stories can spark conversations for graduate students and faculty members, creating space for collective dreaming and critical hope.

Authors

• Alexa W.C. Lee-Hassan, University of Illinois at Chicago
  Presenting Author

• Sara K. Rezvi, University of Illinois at Chicago
  Presenting Author