Date
The University of Oklahoma is pleased to host “Understanding Inequity, Advancing Equity,” a free, two-day, virtual symposium from 3:30 – 6 p.m. CST Dec. 7 and 8. Registration is required.
Gibbs College faculty participating include Vanessa Morrison (Institute for Quality Communities), Deborah Richards (Architecture), Aujean Lee (Regional and City Planning), and Laura Harjo (Regional and City Planning Affiliate Faculty). OU faculty presenters will be joined by two keynote presenters, Dr. Iheoma Iruka, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Dr. Shari Watkins, American University.
This symposium is co-sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Arts and Humanities Forum, and the Early Childhood Education Institute.
“Ensuring Youth Wellbeing and Excellence Through a Racial Equity Lens” by Iheoma U. Iruka, Research Professor, Department of Public Policy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Race, ethnicity, language, ability, and zip code should not determine a youth’s trajectory, opportunity, and eventual life success. Addressing the opportunity gaps and the education debt that leads to disparities through a racial equity and intersectionality lens must go beyond gap-gazing at disparities and inequities and blaming youth and families. A sole focus on disparities without consideration of the root causes will continue to ensure the permanency of inequities and disparities. This keynote will delve into how researchers in collaboration with practitioners and policymakers can begin incorporating a racial equity and intersectionality lens to dismantle systemic barriers to opportunities, wellbeing, and excellence.
Moderated by Dr. Laura Harjo, associate professor of Native American Studies.
“Creating Equitable STEM Environments” by Shari Watkins, Research Fellow, Center for Teaching, Research and Learning, American University, Washington, DC
Despite calls to broaden participation and increase diversity in STEM, many groups such as African Americans remain underrepresented in STEM disciplines and careers. Employing critical perspectives, structures, policies, and pedagogy can lead to the development of supportive STEM communities. This keynote will consider the ways scholars through their teaching and research can create equitable STEM environments.
Moderated by Dr. Kirsten Edwards, associate professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Tim Stephens has accepted the position of Senior Director of Development for Gibbs College, beginning April 15, 2026.
Dr. Khosrow Bozorgi, professor of Architecture at the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma, is advancing a major research project that examines how societies across time and place have organized the built environment in strikingly similar ways.
A project by University of Oklahoma Architecture lecturer René Peralta, developed through Generica Architecture with co-director Monica Fragoso and collaborators Andrew Stone and Ty Brown-Field, is now on view in Gould Hall as a focused installation drawn from the recent exhibition Is Housing Still Housing? Houston’s Single-Family House.
