Joel Dunn

Joel Dunn reflects on his research into the school-to-prison pipeline. He highlights the human and economic cost of exclusion, the failures of short-term funding cycles, and the urgent need to re-centre the voices of excluded children and families. A powerful call to view every exclusion as a systemic failure and to build the upstream solutions needed to prevent them.

Reflecting on the Race Equity in Education Group research. Joel shares how the process exposed distrust in schools’ anti-racist commitments, revealed the emotional cost of racism, and highlighted the power of community-led spaces. Most importantly, he sets out what needs to happen next: moving from performative equity to real accountability through community-led structures. A hopeful call to action for educators, families, and policymakers alike.

Reflecting on the research behind From Intention to Impact: A Cultural Humility Approach to Safeguarding Black Girls in Education. Joel shares what the process revealed about the gap between intention and impact in schools, the urgent need for systemic change, and why despite the challenges there is hope. A powerful call to embed cultural humility as a daily practice that helps every child feel seen, safe, and supported.

Why does Paradigm Project place “Upstream” at the heart of its work? Our founder Joel reflects on the meaning of the Upstream concept, why it resonates deeply with his personal journey, and how it shapes our preventative, community-centred approach to education and safeguarding. A powerful read for anyone passionate about building systems that stop harm before it begins.