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Black Representation in the Curriculum: Conversations on Teaching, Culture, Equity, and Belonging

Black Representation in the Curriculum: Conversations on Teaching, Culture, Equity, and Belonging

By: Dr. Catherine Quinlan
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 Black Representation in the Curriculum explores how representation shapes learning, identity, and opportunity in schools. Hosted by Dr. Catherine Quinlan, curriculum design expert and endowed chair professor in science education, the podcast connects research with real-life experiences to look at teaching, culture, equity, and belonging. Through open conversations with families, educators, school leaders, and scholars, we highlight real stories and lived experiences to help create learning spaces where Black students are seen, supported, and deeply valued.Dr. Catherine Quinlan
Episodes
  • Visibility In STEM - Native Practices and Plants that Heal

    Visibility In STEM - Native Practices and Plants that Heal
    Feb 13 2026

    This video clip is a small part of the work I've done to include the lived experiences and narratives of Black people and Black heritage in the science curricula. You can download a free public report I created to showcase some of this work from this link: https://qubeshub.org/publications/3849/1


    Classroom link can be found on this YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@visibilityinstem


    AI Summary of video clip for this podcast:

    This conversation explores the rich tradition of herbal medicine and the knowledge passed down through generations. Catherine Quinlan shares insights into how ancestral practices have shaped modern understanding of medicinal plants, emphasizing the importance of community and indigenous knowledge in healing. The discussion highlights specific plants, their uses, and the intersection of traditional and modern medicine.

    About the Host: Dr. Catherine L. Quinlan, ED.D.

    I am a researcher, professor, and curriculum design expert. I currently hold the Brenda B. Brodie Endowed Chair for Teacher Education in the School of Education at North Carolina Central University.

    Learn more about me and my research on my websites and YouTube channels.

    For more information visit my websites:

    Personal Website of Dr.Catherine L. Quinlan: ⁠⁠⁠https://drcatherinequinlan.com⁠⁠⁠

    Visibility In STEMEducation Consultant/Services: ⁠⁠⁠https://visibilityinstem.com/⁠⁠⁠

    TEDx Talk: The ClarityWe Need For Belonging: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3xAD3I3x-M&feature=youtu.be⁠⁠⁠

    Recent Academic Book: Black Representation in the Science Curriculum: Implications for Identity, Culture, Belonging, and Curriculum Development. ⁠⁠⁠https://www.routledge.com/9781032757193⁠⁠⁠

    Keystone Passage,Chapter Series Book: ⁠⁠⁠https://keystonepassage.com⁠⁠⁠

    Check out the podcast:Learning, for Truth and Love: Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6IlAjleK06X35gdoGqylGH⁠⁠⁠

    YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drcatherinequinlan⁠⁠⁠

    Podcasts ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-for-truth-and-love/id1785560564⁠⁠⁠

    Music: ⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/649118d6-1db7-4273-aa01-bfd495703f71/learning-for-truth-and-love⁠⁠⁠

    iHeart Radio: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-learning-for-truth-and-lov-248725998/⁠⁠⁠
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    9 mins
  • Exploring Identity and Belonging Challenges in STEM Education

    Exploring Identity and Belonging Challenges in STEM Education
    Feb 9 2026
    Exploring Identity and Belonging Challenges in STEM EducationIn this podcast I share a talk I gave years ago on July 14, 2022 titled, Getting to Know Yourself and Understand Others. In some ways this talk shares some of the meanings and observations I have been wrestling with for some time and which have influenced my approach to curriculum development and to talking about issues related to equity and diversity. Parts of this talk appear in one chapter of my book which was released in August 2024. I thought it was important to highlight this talk given what we're all experiencing right now. It is important to note that my candidness does not mean I am against anyone or the field, but I do believe that this level of candor without rhetoric has overshadowed that which could lead to real change in our society. Does the field reflect society or does society reflect the field? See poll questionAI Summary Dr. Catherine Quinlan discusses the importance of understanding identity in education, particularly in STEM fields. She emphasizes the challenges of belonging for people of color and the impact of identity on students' self-efficacy and persistence in science. Through personal anecdotes and historical context, she highlights the need for educators to connect with their students and foster an inclusive environment. The conversation also touches on the significance of peer mentoring and the role of discourse identity in shaping educational experiences.TakeawaysMany issues we face today are complex and require integrated approaches.Belonging is particularly challenging for people of color in STEM.Identity in science education is problematic for underrepresented groups.Using identity to connect with students can enhance their sense of belonging.Peer mentoring is crucial for student success and comfort in academic settings.Historical perceptions of identity influence current educational experiences.Discourse identity plays a significant role in how students are recognized and validated.Connection with students can improve overall educational outcomes.Understanding one's own identity can help in connecting with others.Educators should actively seek to connect with students from diverse backgrounds.About the Host: Dr. Catherine L. Quinlan, ED.D. I am a researcher, professor, and curriculum design expert. I currently hold the Brenda B. Brodie Endowed Chair for Teacher Education in the School of Education at North Carolina Central University. Learn more about me and my research on my websites and YouTube channels. For more information visit my websites: Personal Website of Dr.Catherine L. Quinlan: ⁠⁠https://drcatherinequinlan.com⁠⁠Visibility In STEMEducation Consultant/Services: ⁠⁠https://visibilityinstem.com/⁠⁠TEDx Talk: The ClarityWe Need For Belonging: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3xAD3I3x-M&feature=youtu.be⁠⁠Recent Academic Book: Black Representation in the Science Curriculum: Implications for Identity, Culture, Belonging, and Curriculum Development. ⁠⁠https://www.routledge.com/9781032757193⁠⁠Keystone Passage,Chapter Series Book: ⁠⁠https://keystonepassage.com⁠⁠Check out the podcast:Learning, for Truth and Love: Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6IlAjleK06X35gdoGqylGH⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drcatherinequinlan⁠⁠ Podcasts ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-for-truth-and-love/id1785560564⁠⁠ Music: ⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/649118d6-1db7-4273-aa01-bfd495703f71/learning-for-truth-and-love⁠⁠ iHeart Radio: ⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-learning-for-truth-and-lov-248725998/⁠⁠
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    22 mins
  • The Invisible Backpack of Shame: AI Rendition of My TEDx Talk "The Clarity We Need for Belonging"

    The Invisible Backpack of Shame: AI Rendition of My TEDx Talk "The Clarity We Need for Belonging"
    Jan 19 2026
    My TEDx Talk titled, The Clarity We Need For Belonging, was published by TED.com over 3 years ago. This interpretation of my monologue into dialogue form reminds me of the first time my son came home and said they used AI in class to look up something. I was quite disappointed that the task to use AI did not do more than look up something. It’s like using the internet search engine. What a missed opportunity! My Original TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/o3xAD3I3x-M?si=5oSV4PKUVk8b__nwhttps://www.ted.com/talks/catherine_quinlan_the_clarity_we_need_for_belongingCan you spot the difference? Listen to this 16-minute AI rendition and dramatization using dialogue and compare it with my original 8-minute TEDx Talk monologue. How might you interpret this similarly or differently? Can you identify differences? Which do you prefer? Which resonates with you the most? Which is more vulnerable or shaming to me? How? Why? Overall, despite a few errors, some caused by my omission of a few details and others by limitations to AI, this rendition brings the TEDx Talk home providing a different perspective. Write your reactions and interpretations in the comments. AI Summary: In this TEDx Talk, researcher Catherine Quinlan explores the profound connection between identity, shame, and the sense of belonging. Drawing from her personal life as a mother and her professional work in science education, she illustrates how societal narratives often marginalize Black accomplishments through isolation and shaming. She argues that children internalize these cultural scripts early on, which can lead to a rejection of their own heritage or the devaluing of others. By examining the historical exclusion of figures like Ed Dwight, she highlights how systemic shaming forces individuals to distance themselves from their successes. Ultimately, Quinlan calls for a collective self-reflection to identify and break these cycles of shame. She asserts that true social inclusion is only possible when we achieve clarity regarding how we shame ourselves and those around us.Further thoughts:My recent discovery of this AI tool showed me that as an instructor I need to further re-think which assignments I emphasize in my courses. I am grateful, and in light of current concerns lucky, that I have mainly focused on having students not only apply but also create, execute, and demonstrate what they learn - for example using tasks that requires multimedia artefacts for electronic portfolios. About the Host: Dr. Catherine L. Quinlan, ED.D. I am a researcher, professor, and curriculum design expert. I currently hold the Brenda B. Brodie Endowed Chair for Teacher Education in the School of Education at North Carolina Central University. Learn more about me and my research on my websites and YouTube channels. For more information visit my websites: Personal Website of Dr.Catherine L. Quinlan: ⁠https://drcatherinequinlan.com⁠Visibility In STEMEducation Consultant/Services: ⁠https://visibilityinstem.com/⁠TEDx Talk: The ClarityWe Need For Belonging: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3xAD3I3x-M&feature=youtu.be⁠Recent Academic Book: Black Representation in the Science Curriculum: Implications for Identity, Culture, Belonging, and Curriculum Development. ⁠https://www.routledge.com/9781032757193⁠Keystone Passage,Chapter Series Book: ⁠https://keystonepassage.com⁠Check out the podcast:Learning, for Truth and Love: Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6IlAjleK06X35gdoGqylGH⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drcatherinequinlan⁠ Podcasts ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-for-truth-and-love/id1785560564⁠ Music: ⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/649118d6-1db7-4273-aa01-bfd495703f71/learning-for-truth-and-love⁠ iHeart Radio: ⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-learning-for-truth-and-lov-248725998/⁠
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    16 mins
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