Creating a safe space for debate

Associate Professor Jagjit Plahe is creating magic in the classroom and inspiring the next generation of leaders to tackle complex global issues.

As an Indo-Kenyan-Australian, Monash University’s Associate Professor of International Political Economy Dr Jagjit Plahe is a passionate advocate for the value of diversity - in life and in learning.

“Like me, my students come from very diverse backgrounds,” she said.

“I can have people from more than 10 different nationalities in my classroom – it’s a bit like a meeting of the United Nations – so my aim is to create a space where students feel that diversity is celebrated and that every student is important and equal.”

Guided by the principles of equity, diversity and social inclusion (EDSI), Associate Professor Plahe designs curriculum materials and assessment tasks to ensure students have a comprehensive understanding of complex global issues such as business ethics, social justice, environmentally sustainable development and health and wellbeing.

“My approach to education is to create an inclusive learning environment where students feel supported to deliberate and debate different world views, and feel respected as individuals and as a group,” she said.

“If we create safe spaces where people are inspired to discuss ideas in the classroom, then I think the young people that are with us today will go on to change things tomorrow. I’m very optimistic about the future.”

Associate Professor Plahe believes teaching is a two-way process.

“It’s about the magic we co-create in the classroom,” she said.

This engaging and inclusive style has helped to earn Associate Professor Plahe a Monash Business School Dean's Award for Equity, Diversity and Social Inclusion Education Excellence.

A previous Monash Graduate Association (MGA) Lecturer of the Year award winner, Associate Prof Plahe said she was “thrilled” by the accolade.

“If you do something you are passionate about, that you are born to do, then you will love it and you’ll do it well,” she said.

“Our students are the leaders of tomorrow, and I feel really privileged that I am able to influence generations of students.”

It’s a passion she hopes is infectious.

“If in my classroom I can encourage students to explore what they are very passionate about, then they will be guided and inspired to follow a career path where they can really make a difference,” she said.