There are very few educators with as much passion and wide ranging experiences in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space as Dr. Michael Funk. Thanks to his rich background, Dr. Funk is able to deliver heartfelt wisdom and functional knowledge. As a balanced scholar/practitioner, he ably and eloquently introduces refreshing tools for educators of all types. Topics covered include why intersectional analysis is vital, what the higher educational model is missing, and why education is a practice of freedom

Show Notes:

• Michael’s experience as a Faculty Fellow in Residence at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
• How growing up in Pittsburgh shaped Dr. Funk’s worldview, and why he became intrigued in the study of diversity
• Why education is a practice of freedom
• What sparked Dr. Funk’s interest in history
• How working as a case worker in the foster care system led Michael to examine his heterosexual and cisgender privileges 
• How Michael’s diverse and winding journey led him to become a leader in higher education
• “Culture Shock” - a unique event Michael co-created that blended music, inclusive work, and politics, among other important topics
• How to find balance between being a scholar and a practitioner
• Why a wide range of experiences, including work, travel, and education are vital to the learning process
• Why synthesized learning is the future of higher education
• How education is changing the trajectory of people’s lives, and how that fuels educators to keep going
• How can we incentivize faculty to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion work into their work
• Critiques of institutional education
• What the latest executive order spells for diversity, equity, and implicit bias training.
• What is the logic behind this executive order?
• What does inclusive teaching mean to Dr. Funk?
• Why not every pedagogic approach is for every instructor
• Why inclusion also means transparency and respect
• How to create “power with” models in education, and beyond
• Why we need to explore issues on inter-personal, institutional, macro, societal, and global levels. 
• Don’t ask your students to go somewhere that you haven’t been yourself
• How to use this time of great uncertainty to come together like never before

How to Connect with Dr. Michael Funk:

NYU Profile | Dr. Michael Funk

Connect with Amer and The Eclectic Inclusion Podcast:

Website | amerfahmed.com

Instagram | @dramerfahmed

Twitter | @dramerfahmed

Please Share, Subscribe, and Review!