Jagdish Gundara: broadening the field of intercultural studies at the Institute of Education (London)

Abstract

This article discusses three (among many) contributions made by Jagdish S. Gundara (1938–2016) to the IOE (Institute of Education), UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society (University College London, UK). First, in his capacity as a professor and UNESCO Chair, and as the director of the International Centre for Intercultural Education since its inception in 1979, Gundara was instrumental in making the IOE a national and global space for discussions related to topics such as multiculturalism and diversity in education. Second, Gundara’s own research and scholarly work made the IOE an attractive place for colleagues and students interested in broadening the field of intercultural studies. Finally, the article considers Gundara’s third contribution to the IOE: those who knew him closely would agree that his friendly disposition has enhanced the culture of the institution as a vibrant community of local-global scholars. This article reflects on such aspects of Gundara’s work and legacy. In doing so it attempts to provide a glimpse into his personal and professional journeys, and the three phases of his intercultural experiences – his childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, as the son of immigrants from India; his studies at universities across North America and the UK; and, finally, his career as an educator at the IOE in London.