Well trained? Racism-sensitive education for prospective teachers: A GSW interview with Prof. Saphira Shure

Racism in schools – a phenomenon that has been insufficiently researched. What needs to be done to train prospective teachers to be sensitive to racism? This is being researched by the GraL junior research group in the BMBF project “Conditions for successful racism-sensitive teacher Education: A racism-theoretical investigation of studies, teaching practice, and career entry.” An interview on the GSW website.

What is special about your professorship and your junior research group? How does it contribute to the (further) development of racism research? 

„The professorship in educational science with a focus on racism and difference research at Bielefeld University, which I have held since March 2023, is the first university professorship with this designation in Germany. The establishment of the professorship was an important step toward anchoring racism research in university structures and thus systematically strengthening it. Through my work as a professor with this focus, I am also involved in teaching and in processes of concept and curriculum development, and together with my colleagues in my working group, I can contribute racism critical perspectives to educational science and school pedagogy. The further development of a racism critical professionalisation of teachers is a central responsibility within the scope of the professorship.“