Fouzia Usman
Educational Development Consultant (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion)
PhD, Educational Research (Leadership)
MA, Educational Administration & Supervision
BSc, Human Environmental Studies
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Role
Educational Development Consultant (EDI)
As an educational development consultant, Fouzia works to advance equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives across the university’s teaching and learning communities. She works with individuals and groups on incorporating EDI values and principles, including anti-racism practices, in postsecondary teaching and learning contexts. She also provides support as an academic staff member by facilitating programs related to the Taylor Institute’s Certificates in University Teaching and Learning. Fouzia is one of the primary contacts for inquiries related to EDI in teaching and learning, and is excited to collaborate with members of the campus community to take this work forward.
Fouzia has an interest in promoting anti-oppression pedagogical practices at the postsecondary level and her research interests include decentring Whiteness in curriculum, anti-oppression pedagogy, equity and inclusivity in teaching and learning, and intercultural competency among faculty members.
Within the community, Fouzia currently serves as a member on the Calgary Police Services Anti-Racism Action committee.
Biography
Fouzia has spent the last 10 years immersed in EDI within an educational context as a researcher, educator and consultant. Her educational development experience spans across the K-12 and postsecondary context. Identifying as an "Anti-Oppression" educator herself, Fouzia has taught several courses in the Werklund School of Education focusing on topics such as diversity for learning and learning theories. Fouzia’s doctoral research focused on inclusion within Dubai’s educational system, whereby she provided guidance to reshape administrators’ and policymakers’ perceptions of inclusion practices for students with specific learning needs. She brings important international experience to the TI, working for the Higher Education Department for the Government of Dubai, supporting large-scale projects related to student engagement and satisfaction, and quality-assurance processes across Dubai’s entire postsecondary sector.
Publications
Publications
El-Khoury, E., & Usman, F. (2018). Reflections on International Graduate Students and Their Community of Practice. Transformative Dialogues: Teaching & Learning Journal, 11(1).
Presentations
Usman, F. (2020). Racism and its Discomforting Truths: A Need to Shift towards Anti-Racism. Presented at the O’Brien Institute for Public Health EDI Speaker Series, University of Calgary, AB
Aujla-Bhullar, S., Usman, F. (2019) Teaching in White Spaces as a Visible Minority. Presented at American Educational Research Association, Toronto, Ontario
El-Khoury, E., Usman, F. (2018) Dilemma of International Students within Canadian Context. Presented at Canadian Society for the Study of Education, Regina, Saskatchewan
Aujla-Bhullar, S., Usman, F. (2018). Women in Academia – Teaching Social Justice Issues in Canada. Presented at Canadian Society for the Study of Education, Regina, Saskatchewan
Usman, F. (May 2018). Inclusive Education Policy in Dubai. Presented at CIESC Special Graduate Panel, Canadian Society for the Study of Education, Regina, Saskatchewan
El-Khoury, E., Usman, F. (March 2018). How Do We Facilitate the Retention of International Students? Presented at 20th Annual Metropolis Conference, Calgary, Alberta
Usman, F. (Oct. 2017). Examining Inclusion in Dubai’s Schools through Constructivist Grounded Theory. Presented at the International Conference for Inclusive Education in Lahore, Pakistan.
Usman, F. (May, 2017). Conceptualizing Inclusion in Dubai’s Private Schools. Presented at the Canadian Society for the Study of Education, Toronto, Ontario