The conference focused on how the themes of race, racism, whiteness, and anti-racism are addressed in teacher education and the teaching profession, featuring inspiring keynotes, parallel sessions, a VR workshop, the art exhibition ARTivism, and a musical performance.
Professional Competence and Anti-Racism in Teacher Education
Over 50 participants from teacher education and the teaching profession took part in the international final conference of the CERiTE Project (Critical Examination of Race and Teacher Education) at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences in Hamar, 23–24 October.
The conference marked the conclusion of a four-year research project led by Professor Prisca Bruno Massao from Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences. The project examined how questions of race, racism, and whiteness have been researched and taught within Norwegian teacher education, and how teacher educators and students can strengthen their competence in this field.
Through plenary lectures, parallel sessions, VR workshops, and artistic contributions, participants shared research, experiences, and teaching practices related to education, cultural diversity, and anti-racism.
International Keynote Lectures
The conference program included three international keynote lectures by researchers with strong expertise in the field:
• Associate Professor Iram Khawaja, Aarhus University, Denmark, gave the keynote “Minority Stress: On the Psychological and Social Consequences of Racism in Education.”
Khawaja is Associate Professor in Educational Psychology at Aarhus University. Her research focuses on racialization, belonging, and inclusion in educational contexts.
• Professor Reza Gholami, University of Birmingham, presented “What Next for Diversity? Belongingness and Schooling in Liberal Democracy.”
Gholami is Professor of the Sociology of Education and head of the Birmingham Research Group on Education Policy (BREP). His research explores belonging, diversity, and democracy in education, using an action research approach that combines educational research with perspectives from art and museums.
• Professor Emerita Christine Sleeter, California State University, Monterey Bay, delivered the keynote “Implications of Antiracist Pedagogy for Teacher Education.”
Sleeter is Professor Emerita of Education and internationally recognized for her work on anti-racism and diversity in teacher education.
Both Professor Emerita Sleeter and Professor Gholami have been members of the project’s international advisory board and have closely followed the CERiTE Project throughout its duration.
Academic Program, Virtual Reality, and Art Exhibition
On Thursday, 23 October, the day opened with a welcome address by University Director Stine Grønvold, followed by Project Leader Prisca Bruno Massao, who introduced the CERiTE Project to the conference participants.
The program featured seven parallel sessions, a film workshop, and a dedicated VR room where participants could explore VR scenarios developed within the project. These scenarios simulate unexpected racist incidents in schools as part of training and reflection on how educators can respond to and manage racism in unforeseen situations.
An artistic highlight was the exhibition ARTivism by artist Cecilia G. Salinas, which addressed racism, exclusion, and inclusion through visual art.
Dinner and Musical Opening
The first day concluded with a joint dinner at Royal India in Hamar, attended by many participants. Conversations from the day’s lectures and sessions continued around the tables, and new discussions emerged in an informal and inspiring atmosphere.
On Friday, 24 October, the program began with a musical opening by Karen Masao, whose beautiful and powerful performance set the tone for the day’s academic sessions. The day was then formally opened by Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Gunhild Tomter Alstad.
A Successful Conclusion to the CERiTE Project
The conference was a success both academically and socially, with engaged and inspired participants from universities, university colleges, and institutions in Norway and abroad.
The members of the CERiTE Project extend their sincere gratitude to all keynote speakers, presenters, and participants who contributed to making the closing conference an inspiring and insightful celebration of the project’s achievements. The project team hopes that the work to strengthen research-based knowledge about racism in teacher education and the teaching profession will continue in the years ahead.
Links:
Critical Examination of Race and Racism in Teacher Education (CERiTE) - Universitetet i Innlandet
CERiTE Conference 2025 - University of Inland Norway
