D-LITE Belong Cluster

About us

The Belong Cluster began in 2021 as part of the Dalhousie Leading in Teaching Excellence (D-LITE) initiative, promoted by Dalhousie's 3M National Teaching Fellows, Dr. Kim Brooks, Dr. Srini Sampalli, and the late Dr. Anne Marie Ryan, in collaboration with the Centre for Learning and Teaching.

We chose to explore the theme of belonging and mattering in learning and teaching, grounded in the belief that people thrive when they feel like they matter. Our cluster's work focuses on attributes of student and teacher experiences that contribute to a sense of belonging in our classrooms and in our daily work.

We are a multi-disciplinary constellation of educators, staff, and educational developers, each bringing their own light—perspectives, experiences, and passions—to our shared work. Together, we aim to create inclusive academic spaces where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to flourish.

Are you interested in our work? Would you like to collaborate and/or explore joining our cluster?