ILETC invites you to Transnational and Queer Pedagogies in Practice: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Language Classroom, a webinar led by Dr. Valentina Abbatelli (University of Warwick) and Dr. Luca Malici (Durham University) on Thursday, April 10th, 2025, from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM (New York) | (5:30 PM to 6:30 PM UK) via Zoom.

Interest in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices has grown rapidly, driven by both local and transnational movements. Across Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and beyond, the modern languages sector has become increasingly engaged in discussions on gender-inclusive communication, reflecting broader societal shifts toward linguistic and cultural inclusivity. In higher education, this engagement has strengthened advocacy for more inclusive and equitable learning environments. However, presently, DEI is encountering both official and unofficial resistance, prompting the need for an urgent discussion of its role in the language classroom.  

This two-hour webinar is intended for both those who are already integrating DEI practices into their teaching, and those who are curious about how to do so. This webinar will use Italian as a case study, but it is intended for instructors of all languages.  

The webinar will first introduce key DEI concepts and their relevance to various aspects of identity—including neurodiversity, disability, age, gender, LGBTQIA+ experiences, and cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. The session will then explore intersectional practices, focusing on concrete transnational and queer pedagogies as effective strategies for fostering inclusivity in the language classroom. The inclusive approaches discussed in this webinar will challenge traditional and normative understandings of identity, culture, and language in classroom practices, teaching materials, and textbooks.  

In the second part of the webinar, participants will engage in hands-on activities with materials created for consumption beyond the language classroom, known as “authentic materials”—such as literature, translations, and newspaper articles—to explore how these resources can help create a more inclusive learning environment. 

Valentina Abbatelli is an Assistant Professor in Italian Studies at the University of Warwick (UK) and Senior Fellow of the Advance HE. Her interest in pedagogy of teaching and learning in modern languages focuses in particular on the development of intercultural competence and empathy through a transnational and global approach and DEI. On this topic, Abbatelli has published, presented at international conferences, and co-organized workshops. In 2022, she was awarded the Society of Italian Studies EDI Excellence Award. Among her other interests are virtual exchanges, digital assessment, and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. 

Luca Malici is an Assistant Professor and Director of Italian Studies at the University of Durham (UK), where he coordinates a range of Italian language and translation modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His academic work spans several areas, with a particular focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), alongside the intersection of technology, media, and cultural studies. Malici has published and presented internationally at conferences and professional development events on topics such as LGBTIQ representation and inclusive, technology-enhanced language pedagogy. A Senior Fellow of Advance Higher Education, he has most recently been involved in projects exploring the role of Generative Artificial Intelligence in enhancing language learning at the university level. 

Click here to register. The fee for this webinar is $50.00.  

Registration closes on April 8th, 2025. 

There will be no refunds for this event. 

Registered participants will receive a Zoom registration link the day before the Webinar.