Putting the “Social” in Social Justice with LaNitra Berger

There is growing momentum in international education around advancing social justice, and these issues are rightly at the forefront of the important discussions happening across the field. Longtime NAFSA member LaNitra Berger, PhD, edited the book on it: Social Justice and International Education.

In this episode of the IE podcast, Berger discusses 

• how advancing social justice in international education became a passion of hers;
• changes she’s seen in the field over the course of her career;
• the role international students play in the dialogue around racism; and
• big and small ways to advance social justice in international education—from daily work on campuses to an overarching national strategy.

Then, Berger answers questions from attendees at NAFSA’s recent Summit for Diversity and Internationalization, and she shares more with us about the intersection of art history and international education.

NAFSA Resources:

• Social Justice and International Education
• “International Students are Critical to Fighting Two Pandemics: COVID-19 and Systemic Racism” blog post
• “Centering Social Justice: NAFSA Resources to Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion”

Additional Resources:

• Irma Stern and the Racial Paradox of South African Modern Art: Audacities of Color
• Irma Stern book launch video
• “Art, Race and the Future: A Conversation with LaNitra Berger,” Parenting for the Future podcast 
• A Conversation with Maaza Mengiste