The virtual 2023 Spring Biannual, hosted by the University of East Anglia in early May, provided platform for information sharing and an opportunity for valuable insights and discussions to take place. With inclusivity at the forefront, the theme of the Spring Biannual focused on the “Possibilities of International Education,” which was also the title of the Biannual’s keynote delivered by Dr. Anne D’Angelo, of the University of Minnesota, based on her book of the same title.
In her inspiring keynote address, Dr D’Angelo emphasized the importance of embracing diverse perspectives and actively engaging students as future leaders. She stressed the role of theory and research in legitimizing and enriching educational practices, encouraging continuous learning and the exploration of different viewpoints. Dr D’Angelo also shared practical strategies for facilitating courageous conversations and creating safe and inclusive learning spaces.
Dr. D’Angelo’s keynote emphasized the critical need to address access and inclusivity within higher education, ensuring that all learners have equal opportunities to engage and participate in the global educational landscape. Actionable steps for educators were provided, including:
Attendees were encouraged to increase their collaboration across their various disciplines and geographic boundaries in order to continue to support and strive for diverse and inclusive learning environments.
Overall, the virtual Biannual provided an inspirational setting for attendees by highlighting achievements within the Aurora Alliance, emphasizing the importance of internationalization, fostering connections, and promoting inclusive research and learning initiatives.
If you are interested in (re-)watching any of the sessions from the 2023 virtual Spring Biannual, please access the playlist here:
Aurora is a partnership of like-minded and closely collaborating research‑intensive European universities, who use their academic excellence to drive societal change.
Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union
This project has received funding from the European Union´s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101035804
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