Identity-Conscious Leadership in Action: Molding Decision-Making Muscle Memory with Dr. Liza Talusan

01/22/25 • 62 min

Dr. Liza Talusan, a lifelong Filipino-American educator and author, joins us to unpack the complexities of identity-conscious practice in education. Her latest book, Identity Conscious Practice in Action, guides educators in navigating the murky waters of identity issues without the pressure of finding right or wrong answers. Consider the role of love, compassion, and finding common ground in your decision-making abilities, which ultimately impact your community.
Listen as we trace Dr. Talusan's inspiring career journey, from her beginnings as a teacher to her current roles as a scholar and author. Her story underscores the interconnectedness of teaching, mentorship, and leadership—all fueled by curiosity, collaboration, and compassion. We also explore HackBAC, a yearly hackathon for 8th-12th grade students that unlocks and harnesses their genius for good.
Finally, discover the nuanced art of critical thinking and the importance of identity-conscious practice in driving social change. Using the case studies from her new book, our conversation highlights the importance of building muscle memory to negate the powerful emotion of fear while making pressure-filled decisions.

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Embracing Courageous Discomfort: Navigating Identity, Power, and Relationships with Rosalind Wiseman

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Renowned author, educator, speaker, and thought leader Rosalind Wiseman joins us for a compelling discussion on the first episode of Dignity Dialogues. Rosalind, the co-author of Courageous Discomfort, shares her compelling journey as a Jewish woman intertwined with a Spanish family, which informs her own perspectives on identity, dignity, and belonging.

Our conversation touches on shaken social contracts, leading us to examine societal responsibilities and how communities can rebuild trust. Her experiences, both personal and professional, offer rich narratives on navigating cultural intersections and the importance of empathy and accountability in relationships.

Together, we explore the crucial theme of dignity within power dynamics. From professional contexts to personal spaces, we reflect on how maintaining dignity can be challenging yet transformative, especially in imbalanced situations. Rosalind's anecdotes illuminate the importance of transparency and the courage it takes to honor others' dignity while advocating for marginalized voices.

Weaving in myriad principles from her book, taking ownership, listening to be changed, and extending grace, we underscore the importance of humility and the courage to apologize for missteps, fostering respectful and meaningful connections. The conversation also touches on evolving relationships, such as those with children as they mature, highlighting the need to see each other beyond conventional roles.

Join us for a conversation filled with genuine insights and a hopeful reminder that with humility, respect, and courage, everything will eventually come together.

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Designing Social Change: Cultivating Change-makers and the Future of Design with Dr. Lesley-Ann Noel

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On this episode of Dignity Dialogues, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Lesley-Ann Noel, the brilliant author of "Design Social Change." Listen as we delve into her impactful work, from her roots in Trinidad and Tobago to being the second Black woman as the Dean of the Faculty of Design at Ontario College of Art & Design University in Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Noel's journey is a testament to the transformative power of design in shaping identity and belonging. Through our conversation, she shares how her experiences have molded her understanding of identity and the importance of representation and leadership, particularly within academic circles.
As we explore the nuances of multiculturalism, Dr. Noel provides a compelling comparison of Canada's "tossed salad" approach to the U.S.'s "melting pot" mentality. Through this lens, drawing inspiration from Paulo Freire's concept of critical consciousness, we dive into Dr. Noel's concept of critical awareness as an ability to recognize the issues around us and act to impact positive social change

Emotions play a crucial role in our dialogue, highlighting the balance of anger and joy in driving social change. We emphasize the power of imagination in envisioning equitable futures and the vital role of empathy in design.

Discover stories of young changemakers using agriculture as a platform for broader social impact. These stories showcase the potential of food to catalyze climate justice and healthier living. Join us on this inspiring journey as we celebrate the agency of youth and the transformative potential of design in crafting a more just society.

MORE ABOUT DR. LESLEY-ANN NOEL

Dr. Lesley-Ann Noel is a designer, researcher, and educator. Her research interests focus on those traditionally excluded from research, design-based learning, and design thinking. She practices primarily in social innovation, entrepreneurship, education,n and public health. In her research, she highlights the work of designers outside Europe and North America.

She is the co-founder and co-chair of the Pluriversal Design Special Interest Group of the Design Research Society. She is the author of Design Social Change and a co-editor of The Black Experience in Design: Identity, Expression and Reflection.

Dr. Noel has a BA in Industrial Design from the Universidade Federal do Paraná in Curitiba, Brazil, and an MBA from the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. She earned her Ph.D. in Design from North Carolina State University, where she was most recently a faculty member focusing on Design Studies in the Department of Media Arts, Design and Technology.

She has been awarded honorary doctorates for service to the design field by the University of the Arts London (2023) and the Pacific Northwest College of Art (2021).

Source: https://www.ocadu.ca/news/dr-lesley-ann-noel-joins-ocad-u-new-dean-faculty-design