The American University of Rome (AUR), in collaboration with CLAIM – Making Learning Accessible, Inclusive and Meaningful, will host two events this November examining the relationship between trauma, education, and student well-being.
Under the theme Trauma & Education: From Awareness to Action, the events will take place on November 24 and 28, 2026, bringing together specialists from education, psychology, and humanitarian organizations to examine how trauma affects students and educators - and what schools and universities can do to respond.
Trauma can arise from experiences including violence, displacement, loss, neglect, and poverty. Its effects are not always immediately apparent, but can influence how young people communicate, form relationships, participate in class, and engage with learning.
The two events aim to move beyond simply recognizing these challenges, exploring practical approaches that help educators create safer, more supportive learning environments.
November 24: How Can We Build Safer Learning Environments?
The first event, a free public panel discussion on Tuesday, November 24, will bring together researchers, clinicians, educators, and representatives of humanitarian organizations to explore how trauma manifests in educational settings and how institutions can respond effectively.
Discussions will consider how educators can recognize signs of trauma that may otherwise be interpreted simply as behavioral difficulties, alongside approaches being developed in Italy and internationally.
The panel will feature contributors from Roma Tre University, the Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE), the Jesuit Refugee Service, Aventino Medical Group, CLAIM, and AUR.
Representing The American University of Rome will be Dr. Sabrina Joseph, Provost, and Dr. Rossella Di Domenico, Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Clinical Psychologist.
Other speakers include Dr. Andreina Orlando, Paola Mileo, Serena Seibel, Fabiana Maglio, Agnieszka Kochanowicz, Katerina Jelissejeva, and Janina Fandel. Spencer Belmont will moderate the discussion.
The event is open to educators, students, professionals, and members of the public interested in education, mental health, and social inclusion.
Event details
- Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026
- Time: 6:00 p.m. meet and greet; 6:45 p.m. panel discussion
- Venue: AUR Auditorium, Via Pietro Roselli 4, Rome
- Admission: Free; registration required
- Language: English
November 28: Turning Awareness into Educational Practice
The second event, Trauma and Silence: Translating Awareness into Educational Practice, will take place on Saturday, November 28.
Led by Paola Mileo, Learning Strategist and Social and Emotional Learning Programme Lead at CLAIM, the three-hour workshop will offer an experiential approach to understanding how trauma affects communication, relationships, and participation in educational settings.
Through practical activities, group discussion, and shared reflection, participants will explore the principles of trauma-informed education and develop strategies they can apply in their own classrooms and professional environments.
The workshop draws on Trauma and Silence, a reflective text by Paola Mileo, illustrated by Marta Bianchi, which encourages educators to consider what silence may communicate and how they can respond with greater sensitivity and understanding.
This workshop is designed for teachers, university faculty, school leaders, students, psychologists, and other professionals working with children and adolescents, and will be limited to 30 participants.
Workshop details
- Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
- Time: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- Venue: The American University of Rome, Via Pietro Roselli 4, Rome
- Participation fee: €55
- Language: English
- Places: Limited to 30 participants; advance registration required
See more details on the workshop here.
Building a Partnership Around Education and Well-Being
The events form part of a broader collaboration between AUR and CLAIM, an Italy-based nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to making learning more accessible, inclusive, and meaningful.
The partnership extends beyond these November events to encompass internships, experiential learning, and collaborative initiatives addressing education, mental health, and student well-being.
Dr. Scott Sprenger, President of The American University of Rome, emphasized the wider significance of the collaboration:
"This November's panel and workshop on trauma in education are just one part of a much wider partnership between AUR and CLAIM spanning internships, experiential learning and joint work in education, mental health and wellbeing of learners. It's a collaboration that reflects AUR's commitment to turning academic insight into real-world impact, in Rome and globally."
For AUR, the initiative reflects the university's commitment to connecting academic knowledge with practical experience and community engagement, particularly as the university continues to develop its academic offerings in psychology and related disciplines.
The events also support three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10).
Registration and Further Information
Both events will take place at The American University of Rome, Via Pietro Roselli 4, 00153 Rome.
The November 24 panel is free and open to the public, while the November 28 workshop has a participation fee of €55 and limited availability.
Register for either event through the CLAIM website at https://claimlearning.org/trauma.php
For additional information, contact CLAIM at info@claimlearning.org.
*Cover illustration by Marta Bianchi