Extanto has been performing content sensitivity reviews for our higher education publishing clients for several years. This is a service that our clients value and an opportunity that we relish and, at this time, it’s probably helpful for us to explain why. The political climate has cast a shadow on this work, often mischaracterizing it as censorship or ideological manipulation. We believe it’s time to have a look at the true essence of sensitivity reviews: compassion for students and their learning experiences.
Our approach is that, at its core, the purpose of sensitivity reviews is to create educational materials that resonate with a varied student body. By approaching this task through the lens of compassion, we help publishers craft content that speaks to students’ lived experiences and ultimately enhances their learning process.
Consider the impact of a student encountering course material that reflects their background, culture, and / or experiences. This recognition can spark a deeper connection with the subject matter, igniting curiosity and engagement. Engaged students are more likely to dive deeper into the material, ask probing questions, and retain information more effectively. When students see themselves represented in their textbooks and course materials, they become active participants in their own education rather than passive recipients of information. In other words, a student that can see themselves in the lesson is more likely to be engaged in that lesson and an engaged student is a successful student.
This compassionate approach to content review doesn’t just benefit students from underrepresented backgrounds. It exposes all students to a wider range of perspectives, encouraging critical thinking and preparing them for the world. By presenting multiple viewpoints and experiences, we’re equipping students with the tools they need to navigate complex environments in their future careers and personal lives.
Seeing these sensitivity reviews as an act of compassion and encouragement can help bridge the gap between various stakeholders in the educational ecosystem. Publishers and authors may be more receptive to suggestions when they’re presented as ways to enhance student engagement and success, rather than as mandates to conform to one particular ideological standpoint or another. This can lead to more effective collaborative relationships and ultimately result in higher-quality educational materials.
By focusing on compassion, we can also address concerns about academic freedom and intellectual diversity. The goal isn’t to censor or sanitize content but to enrich it with a variety of perspectives and experiences. This approach is intended to expand the scope of academic discourse, introducing students to ideas and viewpoints they might not otherwise encounter.
We think that seeing sensitivity reviews as a compassionate service offers numerous benefits. It empowers students by creating more engaging and relatable content, fosters a more effective learning environment, and facilitates more productive collaborations between content creators and reviewers. After all, the ultimate goal is to help every student achieve their full potential by providing them with educational materials that inspire their curiosity. To us, it really is about extending authentic learning opportunities to all students. This is why we do it.
