The Glass Apple

Ep. 4 Camisha Russell: On Grace, Inclusion, Feminism, Joy, and Teaching with Courage

Episode Summary

Today’s episode features Camisha Russell. Camisha is an Associate Professor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies of Philosophy. Her scholarship focuses on Bioethics, Critical Philosophy of Race, and Feminist Philosophy. She teaches Medical Ethics, Philosophy & Race, and The Hunger Games and Social Philosophy.

Episode Notes

In this episode:

• Camisha defines inclusive teaching (1:06)
• How Camisha demonstrates inclusivity in her classroom (1:30)
• What most excites her about teaching and why she embraced inclusive teaching in the classroom (9:39)
• Camisha on being open to students about her teaching practices and their evolution (17:04)
• On determining whether she’s taught a class well and inclusively (19:50)
• Preconceptions students arrive with to her courses and how those change based on her approach (23:19)
• Camisha’s academic journey and how teaching came to be her calling card (26:27)
• The source of her confidence, vulnerability, and presence with students (36:56)
• Inclusive classrooms when courses aren’t inherently DEI-specific (40:29)
• Camisha discusses what’s needed to advance the teaching culture on campus (44:33)
• UO reward systems to cultivate community around teaching (49:54)
• Advice to new faculty on maintaining joy in their teaching (52:25)