Fostering Global Collaboration: A Q&A with Dr. Steve Marshall

In celebration of the International Day of Education, we spoke with Dr. Steve Marshall, Professor and Associate Dean, Research and International, about the Faculty of Education's Office of International Education and its role in fostering global collaboration through partnerships between SFU and international education institutions.

In this Q&A, Dr. Marshall shares valuable insights into the mutual benefits of international teacher education programs, the impact of international education at SFU, and exciting plans for future collaborations.

Q: How do partnerships between the Faculty of Education at SFU and international education institutions support global collaboration and enhance the success of visiting students?

A: The Faculty of Education has a long tradition of global engagement with higher education institutions, school districts, non-governmental organizations, teachers, researchers, and students, including international students in our Faculty. When groups of educators visit to attend our short-term non-credit programs, our goal is for them to have an enriching experience through engagement with different perspectives on educational practices, reflection, and in terms of how they may apply new ideas in their future practice.

Q: What have you learned about the mutual benefits of international teacher education programs from your experience teaching educators from countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand?

A: Mutuality and reciprocity in terms of benefits is an important consideration for our programs. Firstly, our Faculty benefits a lot from working with international teacher educators – we learn about the relevance and applicability of key issues in our own work through discussion and dialogue. In the follow-up research that I have done with teacher educators who have taken programs in the Faculty of Education in recent years, I have learned about how studying at SFU can bring many personal and professional benefits: personally, developing an international outlook and professionally, developing confidence and growing in career trajectories.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about the International Office's contributions initiatives, including plans for 2025?

A: Plans are underway for a number of collaborations this year. We will be hosting education students from Tsuru University, Japan, for three weeks starting in February, and are expecting fifty English language secondary school teachers from Taiwan in July for a program in collaboration with National Taiwan Normal University. A group of SFU students will be partaking in the International Teacher Education Module (ITEM) in Oaxaca, Mexico in the Fall; and we will continue ongoing discussions to develop further international collaborations with institutions, researchers, end educators in new and ongoing work.