Inaugural Lecture by Joana da Silveira Duarte: ‘Who’s afraid of diversity?’

On Friday 26 September 2025, Joana da Silveira Duarte will deliver her inaugural lecture at the University of Groningen. Under the title Who’s afraid of diversity? How the power of difference leads to more equitable education, she will argue how embracing linguistic and cultural diversity in education can contribute to better opportunities and a more inclusive society. The lecture will take place at 16:15 in the Aula of the Academy Building and will also be available via livestream.

Joana da Silveira Duarte has been professor at the Teacher Education programme of the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences since 1 March 2024. Her chair focuses on educational sciences, with a particular emphasis on lifelong learning for teachers, and has equity in education at its core.

“Diversity is still too often seen as a problem, while it can actually be a strength,” Duarte explains. “Especially when schools learn how to deal with differences. This doesn’t necessarily require major changes—it can start with small adjustments in language use or the choice of teaching materials.”

Practical examples and research

Duarte has studied how language and culture influence mathematics education, for instance at the MBO (Dutch secondary vocational education). “Some assignments were testing language skills more than actual math ability. And certain cultural references, such as ‘stackable discounts’, did not resonate with students’ backgrounds. In some cultures, talking about discounts can be uncommon. By adjusting the context of assignments, you can make education more accessible.”

A place to practise

According to Duarte, all young people—regardless of their background—benefit from diversity-sensitive education. “Children often grow up in their own bubble. Education can help them step outside that bubble. It’s a place where you can practise dealing with differences, with the goal of learning to live together.”

She emphasises that teachers don’t need to speak twenty languages. “What matters is that there is space for diversity, and that teachers learn how to engage with it. Becoming aware of one's own cultural lens is an important first step.”

Attend in person or watch online

Those interested can attend the lecture in the Academy Building or watch it live via www.rug.nl/digitale-oratie. To attend in person, please register no later than one week in advance via the registration form on the University of Groningen website.

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