Unlearn the Ivory Tower: Decolonizing Minds, Challenging Racism and Sexism in Academia

On-site @ UNICOM: March 14, 2025, from 09:00 – 16:00

Welcome to the Decolonizing the Mind empowerment workshop for BIPOC students, young researchers and academic staff. In a university setting often shaped by dominant Eurocentric narratives, this workshop seeks to create a transformative space for self-empowerment and collective growth. This space is designed to foster critical reflection, healing, and empowerment by addressing the deep-seated impacts of colonialism on our minds, identities, and experiences within academic institutions, while also identifying strategies to reclaim and redefine our narratives. By centering the knowledge, experiences, and wisdom of BIPOC students, young researchers and academic staff, this workshop fosters healing, collective empowerment, and active strategies for resistance and envision a more inclusive and liberated future.

About the speaker:

Dr. Rahab Njeri is a historian, scholar and community activist. Her research fields and academic interest are Postcolonial Gender Studies, Intersectionality, Black Feminism, Critical Whiteness Studies, Migration Studies, Empowerment and Black Canadian Studies. She is a Trainer and a Moderator. She is the founder of KEMET AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN AFRICAN LANGUAGES (KAAAL) and Prof. Ng?g? wa Thiong'o is a Patrone. Currently, she is a consultant for critique of racism and anti-discrimination polices and strategies development at the at the University of Cologne.

Register by following this link: Registration

On-site @ UNICOM: April 3, 2025, from 09:00 – 16:00

In our globalized and fast-paced world of work, challenges in collaborating, leading and working have reached a new level of complexity. This complexity also applies to academia and can emerge from the intensity, the increasing time demands and stacking of work, the lack of knowledge, the fear of errors as well as the stress from inaction, all leading to reduced productivity and creativity, distress and high risk of burnout. Global happenings, e.g. the global pandemic, the war outbreak, and the pressing needs for action at social and racial justice erode our capacities. This training introduces participants to the approach of Applied Compassion and shows why its application matters, accompanies them in their reflection on how to apply the principles and practices of (self-) compassion, including mindfulness, common humanity and (cultural) humility. At the end of the workshop, by taking their own roles and work routines into consideration, participants will develop specific (small to vast) moves towards bringing more empathy and compassion into their workplace.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Phuong Glaser is a coach and facilitator of Applied Compassion certified by the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University. After being active in science and research as a linguist, she worked as an HR developer and supported international female scientists at the University of Cologne in their career and personal development. Currently, she collaborates with universities and research centers across Germany. Her offer of coaching and training focuses on the areas of mentoring, communication across cultures, empathy and compassion.

Register by following this link: Registration