About
Denice Gravenstijn is a sociologist and native speaker of Dutch and Sranan Tongo - the lingua franca of Suriname. Through an integrated pedagogy that brings together theory, practical experiences, creative expression, and intercultural communication, Denice provides students with a comprehensive understanding of Suriname's multifaceted linguistic and cultural landscape. Her mission is to deepen students' knowledge and appreciation of Suriname as a uniquely diverse country that connects the colonial East (India, Indonesia, and China) and transatlantic West (Africa and the Americas), while exploring the ongoing process of decolonizing Dutch within this context. In her classroom, students learn from academic and activist communities, gaining invaluable experiences that illuminate the dynamic role of Dutch in diverse cultural contexts, and underscoring its significance in fostering transformation, equity, and inclusion. Her knowledge of Dutch-colonial South America and her experience working with Indigenous communities in the Americas provide important comparative insights for Dutch Studies students that bridge Surinamese culture with broader regional and global histories.
