We believe it is important for students to get to know each other and build meaningful connections. This workshop explores practical strategies to develop a safe learning space, supporting inclusion, and active participation in the classroom. It focuses on helping students connect with each other. We will share ideas that have helped us build engaging classroom communities with safety and inclusion in mind. These strategies have been tested in our own classes and we believe they help students see each other as more than just “someone in the class.” Join us, and let’s learn together.
Presenter details
Mania Alehpour
Mania Alehpour is a PhD candidate in Arts and Media at UNSW, where her research focuses on adolescents’ perceptions of mental health and their use of social media to support wellbeing. She holds a PhD in Communication Studies, during which she investigated how children interpret critical concepts in animated films. Mania has collaborated with Malmö University in designing a digital platform for teachers on media literacy. She has taught in both Iran and Australia and currently tutors courses in social research, society, qualitative research methods, and social media at UNSW. Her work has been published in journals including Media International Australia and the Athens Journal of Mass Media and Communication. She is also the author of Improving Children's Critical and Creative Thinking Using Media (Routledge, 2024).
Renata Zanetti
Renata Zanetti is a facilitator, program manager and artist, she is the founder of ReCreate enterprises where she coaches public speaking and supports not-for-profits and philanthropists to connect, innovate and share stories. She is part of the AVPN Global Leadership Academy and has more than 20 years' experience in Government, United Nations, corporate advisory and in the for-purpose sector. One of her passions is learning and coaching, she has degrees in Public Administration from Harvard University (MPA), International Affairs from the Graduate Institute in Geneva, first class honours in International Relations from ANU. She is currently helping teach a course at the Academy of Entrepreneurs and has previously tutored 75 master's level students at UNSW Sydney in International Political Economy.