Workshops, Trainings & Programs

Using Transformative and Social Justice Education models, we aim to develop critical thinking and awareness around the social identity development of all groups. These models focus on the process of learning, including balancing the emotional with the cognitive, acknowledging and supporting the personal while analyzing and intervening in social systems, and developing competencies in education, research, and advocacy.

Current Workshops & Trainings

Social Identity 101: This DC-led workshop introduces participants to thinking critically about their identities within social categories of race, gender, ethnicity, ability, class, and other social identities. We explore how our intersecting social identities interact with systems of power, privilege, and marginalization, and hence influence our access to resources and socioeconomic and political power, as well as how we interact with the world and with each other. This introductory workshop is especially beneficial for student leaders and all student groups. (60 minutes pre-recorded with follow-up synchronous discussions geared to your specific group and situation)

Group Dynamics: This DC-led workshop builds on Social Identity 101, briefly reviewing the discussions and definitions of social identities and of power dynamics. This workshop then introduces the concepts of microaggressions and of accountability. Exploring key tenets of a healthy group, we brainstorm ways to achieve this by using scenarios that students may encounter within their groups, as leaders who work together to create a welcoming environment for prospective students and first year students, as well as students in courses that require Teaching Assistants among others. Although this workshop builds on Social Identity 101, it is also available as an independent workshop. (60 minutes pre-recorded with follow-up synchronous discussions geared to your specificClick Here

Facilitating Challenging Discussions: This DC-led workshop identifies challenges commonly encountered when discussing difficult discussions and outlines strategies to help bring about productive, positive conversations. This workshop can be freely accessed online.

Allyship: This DC-led training defines the language associated with allys0hip and explores the connections between the terminology, its nuances, and its implications. This training briefly reviews social identity categories from Social Identity 101 in order to understand how power and privilege influence a person’s responsibilities as an ally. Participants will learn the importance, the contradictions, and the risks of being an ally. By outlining historic and modern examples of allyship, we offer ways that participants can practice allyship, especially at Williams by using scenarios they may encounter on campus. Finally, this training encourages participants to brainstorm ways they can use their power and privilege to fight back against systems of oppression and protect those with marginalized identities. (60 Minutes) (available for asynchronous online access)

Covid-19 Health Advocacy Training The COVID-19 Health Advocacy Training is a series of six short videos addressing COVID-19 and safer practices, as well as caring for oneself and for each other during this pandemic. The training examines racialized interpretations and impacts of COVID-19, and why social identities matter in dealing with the virus and with each other, as we engage in sometimes challenging discussions. Created by Davis Center Community Engagement Fellows, this training is a peer to peer education and advocacy initiative, that others may find informative and helpful. The videos are available on-line, and follow-up discussion opportunities are available. This training is freely accessible online.Click Here

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