How might we face each other with more openness, kindness, and respect?
Aalto safer space aims to prome understanding of consent, boundaries, alcohol usage, microaggressions, and overall, communication and interaction skills.
Agreeing on guidelines for inclusive interaction in the course
Inclusive teaching practices are inseparable from high-quality teaching practices; therefore, inclusive teaching affects all aspects of a course and the learning experience it provides. One such practice is creating an equal and comfortable environment in which all students can study. This is an important step towards creating a respectful, supportive and productive learning environment where everyone can feel safe and welcome.
Feeling safe affects how individuals envision what happens if they speak out, try new things and how comfortable they feel in their surroundings. But not only that, this affects a person's ability to learn, focus and act in an organized manner. Feeling unsafe in teaching and learning situations might lead to lack of participation and interaction, not sharing and experimenting and not feeling included.
Adopting these guidelines supports achieving learning goals: they help clarify expectations, cultivate a sense of belonging among students, and facilitate students’ ability to engage productively with one another across their differences, and develop their transferable skills. Every teacher can contribute to the development of supportive environment by creating a community in which all students feel a sense of belonging and a willingness to engage in discourse. You can start with your own course or a student group.
How to start?
One of the core practices could be to start the course by collectively agreeing on inclusive interaction guidelines. This means common guidelines for sensitive and considerate communication that are agreed with all students and staff. These guidelines should be discussed and agreed together. Return to these guidelines also during the course if needed.
A suggestion for guidelines to be copied and modified for your course or other event is available at the bottom of the page.
Remember also to discuss the intended learning outcomes, content and the evaluation criteria with your students. Make sure that students understand these and revisit these goals during and at the end of the course to see if they were reached. Use various feedback methods, in addition to teacher lead feedback, also peer feedback and anonymous feedback are something to consider. Use the opportunity to collect feedback during and at the end of the course to develop your teaching further.
Principles for a safer space
Learn principles for a safer space, which help everyone build better everyday interactions with other community members.
Meet people around you with an open mind. Actively promote everyone's participation in different community encounters. Pay attention to how the people around you are doing and how your behaviour affects them. Use language that everyone can understand – this way, everyone can participate.
Be aware of the assumptions and generalisations you make. Our backgrounds, experiences, and positions differ from one another. This affects our ways of thinking, perspectives, and how we work with people. Even if you feel safe and accepted, do not assume that everyone else feels the same way.
Give space for everyone, stay open to new perspectives, share experiences, listen to others, and try new ways to promote open discussion and build mutual trust. You may ask questions and can disagree with others.
We are bound to make mistakes, so give each other room to make mistakes and be sensitive and compassionate to yourself and others. If you make a mistake, acknowledge it and try to adjust your actions accordingly. Approach others' mistakes and misunderstandings with understanding and try to discuss the matter with others.
Taking care of a safer environment is an ongoing process. We do not tolerate any form of inappropriate treatment, bullying, or harassment. If you notice or experience inappropriate behaviour, do not hesitate to act. Try to address inappropriate speech and behaviour by respectfully but firmly pointing out things you find unacceptable. Ask for help when needed. Support is available, and Aalto University has clear and consistent procedures to address harassment and inappropriate treatment.
Support in case of harassment and inappropriate conduct for students and person…
Download and modify a slide for your course
You are free to download, modify and use the slide below in your purpose. It is important that the guidelines are introduced and agreed upon as a group as well as in smaller groups. This list is not complete and not fit for all purposes, feel free to edit or make additions throughout the course. Remember shared responsibility for making our community safe and welcoming for all.
Intervening in the harassment and inappropriate treatment
We do not accept any kind of inappropriate treatment, bullying or harassment.
Code of Conduct - Values into practice
The Aalto University Code of Conduct is one way of putting our values and way of working — the foundation of our community culture — into practice
Aalto University’s principles for a safer space
These principles help everyone build better everyday interactions with the members of our community
Future-led Learning podcast
The Future-led Learning podcast offers a platform for university educators to reflect their ideas about teaching and learning.
