In July, we welcomed Dr. Kerstin Merz-Atalik, Professor in the Department of Special Education at the Ludwigsburg University of Education in Germany. The visit was funded by the Principal’s Development Fund in support of our existing partnership with Ludwigsburg University of Education.
During her visit, Dr. Merz-Atalik actively engaged with our community. She visited two Bachelor of Education classes, gave a hybrid guest lecture, and organized a workshop for graduate students from across Queen’s University on the topic of Comparative Perspectives on Governance of Inclusive Education in European Countries. The activities developed in depth discussions on the topics of inclusivity and special education as compared to European countries.
The highlight for the visit was celebrating the recent publication of the new book European Perspectives on Inclusive Education in Canada. Critical Comparative Insights, edited by Dr. Merz-Atalik, along with Dr. Theodore Christou, Dr. Ian Matheson and Dr. Robert Kruschel. The book features leading voices in the field from across Canada and Europe and offers empirical analyses of the historical, social, cultural, and legislative determinants of inclusive education in Canadian schools.
It was an honour to host Dr. Merz-Atalik at Queen’s University and to offer both an in-person and hybrid global engagement opportunities to our Queen’s community.