Wellbeing, Equity/Inclusion, and Education (WEE) Research Collaborative
The Wellbeing, Equity/Inclusion and Education (WEE) research collaborative supports an interdisciplinary group of scholars at the University of Minnesota and at higher education institutions from several other countries, including the University of Western Cape, South Africa; University of the Free State, South Africa; and Christ University, India.
WEE brings together and advances research on wellbeing, equity, and inclusion through education (specifically intersectional analyses of gender, race and disability) from different national contexts, particularly in the global South.
The research collaborative aims to contribute to global agendas and the Sustainable Development Goals that address quality education and gender equality through nationally and locally specific approaches.
Funding and Support for WEE comes from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' (UMN) College of Education and Human Development and CEHD Dean's Office; UMN Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development; UMN Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change; and UMN Institute for Advanced Study.
About WEE
WEE aims to advance collective knowledge production across different disciplines, geographic places, and social, economic, and political contexts to enhance the use of research about education equity, inclusion, and wellbeing among local communities, national governments, and international institutions. Specifically, WEE:
- WEE members engage in research from disciplines of development studies, economics, comparative and higher education, human rights, psychology, sociology, political science, and public policy.
- WEE members are Global Learning Partners with the Global Partnership for Education and conducting research around the world to address wellbeing, equity, and inclusion in education.
- WEE provides opportunities for graduate students and early career researchers to workshop their projects or papers by learning from different disciplinary and contextual frameworks.
- WEE hosts a reading group on critical scholarship about frameworks and methods to advance knowledge production on wellbeing, equity and education in global contexts.
- Members of WEE meet regularly, both virtually and in person, to discuss and develop research proposals, share ideas, and foster relationships.
- WEE invites speakers to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities at least twice a year, providing public presentations and participating in smaller workshops and informal settings in key topics related to wellbeing, equity, and education.
- WEE convenes an online seminar (webinar) each year for external audiences.
- WEE supports proposals for conference presentations, allowing members to share their research and engage with international organizations and local communities.
Schedule for Monthly Meetings, 2026
- February 25: Interdisciplinary Methodologies to Understand Equity and Wellbeing in Education
- Decolonial Approaches to Youth Counter-Narrative Research
Speaker: Rajendra Chetty, professor of Language Education, University of the Western Cape - Indigenous Psychology as Method: Rethinking Self-Determination, Equity, and Wellbeing in Higher Education
Speaker: Imlingangzuk Longkumer, PhD Research Scholar at the School of Psychological Sciences, Christ University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India - Mapping Inequality: Turning Data into Understanding
Speaker: Len Kne, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) professional, University of Minnesota - From Methods to Building Processes: Practical Research Approaches for Youth Wellbeing in Community Development
Speakers: Paul de Bruyn, Founder of Pala Forerunners; and Willard Muntanga, Programme Assistant Officer at Basilwizi Trust in Binga rural district, Zimbabwe
- Decolonial Approaches to Youth Counter-Narrative Research
- March 25: WEE Collective Discussion on Research Methodologies
- 8:30-10 a.m. US Central time, 106 Northrop, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- April 22: Planning for the UNESCO Chair First Annual Symposium
- 8:30-10 a.m. US Central time, 106 Northrop, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- 8:30-10 a.m. US Central time, 106 Northrop, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Participants
- Joan DeJaeghere
Professor and Chair, Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (Co-lead) - Karen Brown
Director, Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change (Co-lead) - Mikateko Mathebula
Senior Researcher, Higher Education—University of the Free State, South Africa - Amiena Bayat
Associate Professor, Economics—University of the Western Cape, South Africa - Aditi Arur
Assistant Professor, Psychology—Christ University, India
Opportunities
Contact Xun Yu (yu051390@umn.edu) if you are interested in joining the collaborative, attending any events, or to join the group email list.