Caroline Newton - the new BK ED&I officer
Caroline Newton, the new ED&I officer starting January 1, 2025, plans to foster diversity and inclusion within the faculty through a two-year program. Her strategic approach is based on two primary goals: establishing an inclusive academic working environment and systematically incorporating diverse perspectives. 'This method is built around three pillars: intersectionality, neurodiversity, and decolonisation,' Caroline explains.
Intersectionality
Using an intersectional lens in architecture and urbanism helps educators and academics understand how structures and cities can reproduce inequality or, on the contrary, promote inclusivity. This thinking asks questions about who benefits from how space is organised, who impacted the design, and how different groups access and interact with buildings and public areas.
Caroline: ‘An intersectional approach to architecture and urbanism shows how urban design can maintain or reduce inequalities. Consider public transport systems, for example: if routes and timetables are planned without considering the needs of low-income people, people with disabilities or people working outside regular working hours, these groups can face significant barriers to their mobility. This lack of accessibility can limit their entry into employment, education and essential services, reinforcing social and economic disparities. By integrating intersectionality into planning, we can create urban spaces that are inclusive and equitable for all residents.’
Intersectional understanding is crucial not only in education, but also in our organisation. ‘At the faculty level, we must examine our own policies. And we should assess our own culture to better support various identities. And, if required, develop new policies to address the specific difficulties that under-represented groups face.’
Space for neurodiversity
Neurodiversity encompasses a variety of natural variations in brain functions. Think autism, ADHD and dyslexia, but also HSP and giftedness. These are not just differences, but distinct strengths that contribute to human diversity. Caroline: ‘Recognising and valuing these unique cognitive profiles is crucial, especially in academia, where these traits can stimulate innovation and creativity.’
Decolonising the curriculum
The third pillar concerns the decolonisation of our education. This involves reviewing and revaluing educational content and structures influenced by colonial history. ‘It addresses the dominance of Western ideologies that marginalise non-Western and original perspectives. With this, we want to create a more equitable and inclusive educational environment by integrating diverse cultural knowledge systems, Caroline explains. ‘Specifically, this means ensuring that educational materials and practices reflect global knowledge diversity. A decolonised curriculum better prepares students for a globalised world, increasing their understanding of different cultures and fostering critical thinking, cultural awareness and social responsibility.’
At the faculty level, we must examine our own policies. And we should assess our own culture to better support various identities.
How will this be made concrete?
Caroline has developed a proposal for our faculty to focus on the three key areas listed above during the next two years. In addition to a series of suggestions she has drafted, she intends to collaborate with Community Officer Cecile Calis, who in recent years has focused on encouraging dialogue and connecting staff and students from across the faculty. Some events are unique, while others like the now-famous community dinner will return and focus on in-depth conversation and evaluation.
More information
Caroline Newton (Urbanism) joined our faculty as Van Eesteren Fellow in 2019. She is an urban planner, architect, and political scientist who studies how architecture and design affect society and politics. She is linked with the Centre for the Just City, and her research focuses on spatial justice and the role of design and intersectional thinking in achieving a just city. Caroline argues that design and strategic planning can act as forms of resistance, challenging present capitalist institutions and paving the way for more inclusive futures. In March, she will present her open-access book 'Envisioning Spatial Justice', which discusses these issues.
Check the EDIC web pages for more information and events.
Download the vision document here.