S2 E1: Safety in Educational Spaces

Educational spaces are where we spend our early years learning about our society and how we are expected to behave. In many ways, these spaces reflect the larger society's characteristics and values. The expectation of safety in educational spaces is not always realistic. Educational spaces are excellent for fostering solidarity, compassion, and empathy. In "Safety in Educational Spaces," by One Future Fellows 2022-23 Cycle 2, Vibhuti, Tharika, and Amiya discuss an often-overlooked theme using personal experiences and societal observations. They discuss sub-themes such as public versus private education, inclusivity issues, and sexual harassment in educational spaces. Throughout the episode, they openly discuss their encounters with institutional biases, taking into account the impact of caste, gender, and class dynamics. From the limitations of traditional safe spaces to the rise of "brave spaces," they provide insight into reimagining educational environments as inclusive hubs. As a listener, you will be encouraged to consider your own safety perceptions and the societal changes required for equitable, respectful, and empowering educational environments. Content warnings: caste-based institutional deaths, and sexual harassment. Kumar (2019). Why it's tough being an LGBTQ student on an Indian campus. Newslaundry. https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/11/07/why-its-tough-being-an-lgbtq-student-on-an-indian-campus Qureshi (2018). Kashmir University's GSCASH is a joke. Newslaundry. https://www.newslaundry.com/2018/02/16/kashmir-university-gscash-sexual-harassment Thompson (2017). The discomfort of safety. Society and Space. https://www.societyandspace.org/articles/the-discomfort-of-safety Datta (2021). NCERT Removes Teacher-Training Manual on Transgender-Inclusive School Education After Backlash. The Wire. https://thewire.in/lgbtqia/ncert-removes-teacher-training-manual-on-transgender-inclusive-school-education-after-backlash Nayar (2022). With the NEP's Focus on 'Autonomy', Are We Ushering in a Spirit of Academic Capitalism?. The Wire. https://thewire.in/education/with-the-neps-focus-on-autonomy-are-we-ushering-in-a-spirit-of-academic-capitalism Avijit Pathak, A Socik Society that Manufactures Failures- The True Face of Education in India https://thewire.in/education/the-true-face-of-indias-education-system Bell Hooks, Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom https://academictrap.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/bell-hooks-teaching-to-transgress.pdf Jennifer Gunn, Opening the Doors to Learning through Safe Spaces from K-12 https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/creating-safe-spaces/ Ragini Lalit, The Cultivation of Safe Spaces within Schools https://feminisminindia.com/2022/01/21/the-cultivation-of-safe-spaces-within-schools/ Prabhakaran AK , The Idea of Safe Spaces in the educational institutions: Let’s democratize the structures https://gaurilankeshnews.com/democratising-safe-spaces-in-educational-institutions/ UNESCO. (2021). Reimagining our futures together: a new social contract for education https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000379707.locale=en PTI, National Herald. (2020). Safe and secure school environment? 22% of school buildings across India old or dilapidated: NCPCR report https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/safe-and-secure-school-environment-22-of-school-buildings-across-india-old-or-dilapidated-ncpcr-report Fiensner & Lippe. (2019). Being safe from what and safe for whom? A critical discussion of the conceptual metaphor of ‘safe space’ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14675986.2019.1540102 Zheng (2016). Why your brave space sucks. https://stanforddaily.com/2016/05/15/why-your-brave-space-sucks/ Aaina.edu https://www.aainaedu.in/about