A Brock University spring course is preparing students to create safe, inclusive spaces in educational settings, workplaces and everyday life.

Professor of Educational Studies Michael Savage says EDUC 4P48 Trauma-informed education approaches trauma from a positive psychology lens.

“We will look at how to build resilience and ways to minimize people’s trauma-influenced reactions, whether conscious or subconscious, in educational settings,” he says.

While this online course will equip future educators to shape inclusive learning spaces, Savage says students studying across the University can benefit from learning about trauma-informed practices and communication.

Education, Savage says, happens everywhere.

“Training employees in business settings, for example, is an example of education in the workplace. By using a trauma-informed approach and engaging best practices for inclusive teaching and learning, you will be able to effectively communicate your message while supporting employees,” he says.

Learning these tools will help build safe, thriving communities where people feel they can do their best and perform well, says Savage, whose background spans both education and clinical psychology.

“Trauma does not just occur in educational settings; it is part of our human condition.   We can be inclusive and thoughtful in the way we are designing educational materials across all disciplines. Even parents or guardians can benefit from this kind of learning,’ he says.

The evolution and contemporary definition of ‘trauma’ will also be explored in the course.

Savage says anything that causes a feeling of powerlessness, or the feeling of losing control, can be traumatic.

“We will cover definitions of trauma over time. The definition has expanded, from shellshock to PTSD to complex trauma and intergenerational trauma. We need to help people learn or develop new skills, not just in school, but in professional settings everywhere,” he says. “And we need to do it in ways that maximize people’s learning and minimize their trauma.”

For more information on Brock’s Spring/Summer courses or to register, visit brocku.ca/springsummer