Unpacking white centricity
Our members get the conversations going, inspire action and deliver practical tools during the FACE Workshops and talks as a follow up to our much praised FACE Race Handbook: A peer to peer toolkit for cultural competency and confidence.
There’s nothing like live conversation and exchange on topics that are charged with passion. Race literacy and vocabulary is one such area for engagement and can be furthered through FACE Membership. In April at the request of some of our Winchester School of Art members, we delivered a half day workshop for staff. We utilised our ability to provoke and problem solve through interactive presentations and conversational revelations.
Race literacy and vocabulary is one such area for engagement and can be furthered through FACE Membership.
See our staff testimonials below
FACE creates a safe and supportive space in which all in the room, including speakers, can learn and explore the experiences of others. Sharing and humility is key. So is having fun and playful interaction.
So what did we cover? Cognitive Science, Vulnerability, Humility as a Super Power, Identity and vocabulary, How to create live interventions, Unpacking microaggressions, Honesty, Appropriation, Personal manifestoes
Attention: If you haven’t already download your free FACE Race Handbook here. It’s a collaboration from Black and white educators delivering a range of tools and mentoring.
STAFF testimonials
“I resonated with Benita Odogwu-Atkinson's presentation De-centring Design. Benita shared her rich insight such as how to engage students culturally, with a manifesto style activity that looks at our own intersections and how this helps change the narrative of the perceived centre. Benita discussed the need to de-centre our own teaching and learning from that of a western lens by going beyond adapting ‘reading lists’ to develop a broader ‘reference’ list that for example encompasses social media thought leaders and designers from Black cultural heritage.”
Deborah Campbell, Teaching Fellow, Fashion Marketing and Management, Winchester School of Art
“Addressing racial and gender bias at university is a priority for all staff to get involved with understanding and making behavioural change. The FACE talk this week delivered by Caryn Franklin and Benita Odogwu-Atkinson brought to the front, the impact to staff and students, from negative bias behaviours repeating in society today. We are not immune from this in our institutions, and the brilliant speakers presented how collectively we can work together, with humility in safe places to do the work needed”
Linda Mackie, Principal Teaching Fellow, Winchester School of Art
“I just wanted to say a big thank you for organising the workshop—it was really refreshing to have external speakers. It made such a difference to hear from people outside the university, a refreshing and honest conversation. It felt open and constructive, which is exactly what’s needed.
“The FACE workshop from Caryn Franklin and Benita Odogwu- Atkinson was an invaluable session for me, dealing with issues of racism and gender bias that are not talked about or addressed enough, in a thought provoking & proactive way. It has challenged me to not only think differently, but to see things differently. I would encourage everyone to join the conversation and make positive change”
Paul Mackie, Head of Fashion and Textiles, Winchester School of Art
"The talks by Caryn Franklin and Benita Odogwu-Atkinson champion social justice pedagogy, fostering practices that amplify the voices of the marginalised in arts, culture, and higher education—challenging us to think critically and evolve our subject specialisms. I always come away having learned something entirely new."
Dr Karen Ryan, Programme Leader Fashion Marketing and Management, Winchester School of Art
“I really enjoyed yesterday’s presentations with Caryn Franklin and Benita Odogwu-Atkinson – there was something about the way both speakers pitched their ideas and findings that felt very practical and not just theoretical which, as we’ve spoken about before, can make the idea of EDI in our workplace also seem to be a more theoretical aspiration when what we all really need is to evidence a practical application of EDI initiatives”
Dr Georgina Williams, Teaching Fellow, MA Textile Design, Winchester School of Art
Yesterday's event was fantastic! My mind is still reflecting on the themes Caryn and Benita presented. It makes me very proud to be part of FACE!
Jodie Silesby Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Workshop // Addressing Race and Gender bias at university. Winchester School of Art
Caryn Franklin and Benita Odogwu-Atkinson were both fantastic speakers—engaging, and not afraid to tackle difficult topics, I know that my team and I left extremely impressed and inspired by the discussions.
The half-day also worked really well; it gave enough time to get into good discussions without feeling overwhelming.
That said, this is just the start!. There’s still a long way to go, and much more work to be done. One big takeaway for me is that these conversations need to keep happening—and in a safe space, where people can speak freely without fear of judgment.
In future, I’d love to make sure my whole team can attend, including the MAFD/MATD technical team, as these discussions are relevant to everyone.
It would also be great to see more people there—especially those who really need to be part of these conversations!”
Reem Alasadi FHEA | Programme Leader MA Fashion Design and MA Textile Design | The Company at WSA, Winchester School of Art