Multicultural &
Community Research

Embarrassing Diversity in Education

A Call to Redefine Our Future

By Hussam Saraf

A developing book exploring the importance of diversity in shaping education and creating inclusive learning communities. It extends the questions of belonging and educational participation into a broader discussion about the future of education.

IMPARO · Community language support

Workshop participant: Hussam Saraf · Monash University project

I contributed my experience of community language support to discussions about training and mentoring for regional interpreters and translators. The workshops brought participants together with Monash student mentors and the project team to explore practical professional-development needs.

شاركت في ورش برنامج IMPARO في يونيو ٢٠٢٣، وقدّمت تجربتي في دعم التواصل المجتمعي ضمن نقاشات احتياجات التدريب والإرشاد للمترجمين في المناطق الإقليمية.

Participation, photographs and sources → · Monash project report and toolkit announcement ↗

Workshop photo collection → · Language access during the floods →

Through Their Eyes

The Untold Journeys of Refugee Students During COVID-19

Written by Hussam Saraf

An exploration of refugee students’ experiences of remote learning, language barriers, limited access to technology and social isolation during COVID-19. Alongside their struggles and resilience, the book examines how EAL teachers, families and multicultural liaison officers maintained connection, supported learning and helped young people find hope.

Between the Ashes and the Stars

A Window into the Lives of Refugee Students

Written by Hussam Saraf

Stories exploring displacement, survival and the search for belonging through the experiences of refugee children. The book follows journeys from conflict and refugee camps to new classrooms and communities, highlighting education, friendship and caring teachers. Names are changed to protect the children’s identities.

Ask the Cows

A community storybook about difference and belonging

Written by Adelle Brown and Katrina Rowland · Project contributor: Hussam Saraf

Mummy Cow and Baby Cow discover the diversity of Shepparton through its Moooving Art cows. The story’s message is that it is OK to be different: people can have different backgrounds and beliefs while sharing experiences and goals. Developed through Greater Shepparton City Council’s Community Leadership Program, the project brought together Hussam Saraf, Kara McCann, Karen Sacuzzo, Katrina Rowland and Adelle Brown. Copies were shared free with libraries, kindergartens, schools and the community.