Antioch is enhancing its leadership in Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) through new initiatives in partnership with the International Center for Growth in Connection (ICGC). Together, they are creating spaces for relational practice to thrive across disciplines, strengthening community, amplifying voices, and promoting social change.
This commitment is evident in the Relational-Cultural Theory Fellowship, which provides resources to integrate RCT into academic programming, expand the RCT-informed Leadership and Change affinity group, and conduct foundational research for future initiatives. Dr. Ileya N. Grosman, Antioch alumni and inaugural fellow, leverages her expertise as an educator, scholar, and artist, building on her dissertation about cultivating meaningful student relationships through empathy, creativity, and embodied awareness.
A key outcome of this partnership is the relaunch of Works in Progress, a historic open-access series originally running from 1982 to 2003, now hosted on the ICGC website. Revived as a vibrant, peer-reviewed platform, Works in Progress offers practitioner-focused, scholar-practitioner, and interdisciplinary publishing opportunities with a faster submission-to-publication timeline than traditional academic journals. By emphasizing accessibility and application, the series creates a vital space for sharing emerging research and innovative practices across disciplines, including education, clinical mental health, social justice, leadership, and organizational development.
This fall, the commitment to relationally informed dialogue and leadership continues with a public virtual program on October 28 at 7 PM ET. Author Elaine Weiss will discuss her book, Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools that Built the Civil Rights Movement (2025), with Antioch faculty respondents. The conversation will explore relationships as a foundation for social change in education, counseling, and leadership, demonstrating how RCT insights can shape scholarship and public life. Open to all and offering CEUs, the program highlights Antioch’s dedication to bridging research, professional practice, and community engagement.
These initiatives build on Antioch University’s establishment of the Jean Baker Miller Relational-Cultural Theory Research Fund, which honors the legacy of RCT’s pioneering founder and ensures a lasting foundation for future work. The fund serves as a critical resource for advancing research, supporting innovative practices, and fostering meaningful connections across disciplines and communities. Through this suite of offerings, Antioch University and ICGC are charting a bold course for the future of Relational-Cultural Theory. By nurturing emerging scholars and leaders, creating accessible platforms for knowledge exchange, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, they ensure that RCT continues to grow as a transformative force in leadership, education, and social justice.
For more information about upcoming activities or to explore ways to get involved in Antioch’s Relational-Cultural Theory initiatives, contact Dr. Harriet Schwartz, PhD- [email protected].
