Diversifying Reading Lists

Facilitators:
Navroop Gill, Teaching & Learning Librarian, UTL
Emily Hector, Education Liaison Librarian, UTL 

Join us for an interactive workshop that explores the importance of diversifying reading materials for your students. 

The representation of scholars (or lack thereof) on reading lists and syllabi helps to normalize and legitimate which – and whose – ideas are valued within a broader scholarly discourse. As an early gateway to disciplinary conversations, reading lists have radical potential to expose students to a more diverse, representative set of voices through the citations they contain.  

Reading lists also serve as important signposts for students. A lack of diverse representation on reading lists can decrease students' perception that they have a place within a field of study (Addy et al. 2021). Therefore, intentionally designing reading lists to address gaps in representation is an inclusive teaching practice that can help students feel a sense of belonging in the classroom and within a scholarly discipline, more broadly.

In this session, we will discuss the importance of identifying dominant narratives and underrepresented gaps in your disciplinary conversation, and practical strategies for locating and selecting readings that enrich your syllabus.