Trevor A. Dawes and Russell Michalak

👋Welcome to Inclusive Knowledge Solutions


About Inclusive Knowledge Solutions

Welcome to Inclusive Knowledge Solutions, your trusted partner in transforming higher education institutions into equitable, inclusive, and dynamic environments. Founded by experts Trevor A. Dawes and Russell Michalak, our mission is to dismantle toxic academic cultures and foster communities of growth and innovation. We offer tailored solutions that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that your institution thrives in today’s competitive landscape.

At Inclusive Knowledge Solutions, we believe that academic organizations should be spaces where knowledge, collaboration, and respect are paramount. Our services are designed to empower institutions by enhancing libraries, providing leadership training, supporting organizational learning, and offering comprehensive equity, diversity, and inclusion education. We are committed to driving positive change, ensuring that every voice within your organization is heard and valued.

Meet Our Founders:

Trevor A. Dawes brings over 20 years of experience in higher education and library management. As a renowned expert in leadership and diversity, Trevor consults with library organizations and facilitates workshops to improve the skills and competencies of librarians and library workers. His commitment to professional development has made him a leading figure in enhancing institutional effectiveness across the academic sector.

Russell Michalak specializes in artificial intelligence, library leadership, and project management. With over two decades of experience in special and academic libraries, Russell has dedicated his career to empowering people within these spaces. He has led teams in implementing innovative tools and developing professional development programs that prioritize the growth and well-being of individuals. Russell’s expertise lies in transforming library operations into environments where respect, excellence, and empowerment are not just values but lived experiences for both staff and patrons. His work ensures that academic libraries become centers of human connection and collaboration.

Why Choose Inclusive Knowledge Solutions?

  • Library Enhancements: Transform your library into a hub of innovation and learning.
  • Leadership Training: Develop leaders who can drive positive change within your institution.
  • Organizational Learning: Foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Education: Build a truly inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Transform Your Institution Today

Trevor A. Dawes and Russell Michalak are dedicated to creating academic environments where growth, collaboration, and respect are at the forefront. Partner with Inclusive Knowledge Solutions to transform your institution into a place where every individual can succeed. Contact us today to learn how we can help your organization achieve its goals.


Join the Inclusive Knowledge Solutions Community

Stay ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education with the latest insights from Trevor A. Dawes and Russell Michalak. Whether it's about dismantling toxic cultures, enhancing leadership capabilities, or fostering inclusive academic environments, our newsletter is your go-to resource. Click the link below to sign up for our newsletter.


Blogs/Podcasts

Trust in the Workplace: Losing It, Rebuilding It, and Moving Forward

Trust is a cornerstone of effective collaboration, particularly in academic libraries where relationships underpin the institution’s ability to support teaching, learning, and research. Walter Gmelch, a renowned scholar on academic leadership, emphasizes that trust is not merely an abstract ideal—it’s an essential component of relational leadership and organizational success. Christopher Cox, in Compassionate Leadership: An Essential Approach Post-COVID, highlights how balancing empathy with accountability strengthens relationships and creates resilient workplace cultures. Together, these perspectives offer valuable guidance for navigating trust challenges.

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Words Matter: Creating Clear and Accessible Communication in Academic Libraries

When I first became director of the library, I quickly learned that managing a team with diverse needs and schedules was no small feat. Communication was everything—especially with our team of student workers, paraprofessionals, and professional librarians on varying contracts. I assumed that more information was better, so I packed every email and memo with detail, thinking it would empower the team. Instead, I was met with questions that reflected confusion, not clarity. Some staff felt overwhelmed; others weren’t sure what applied to them specifically.

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Creating an Inclusive Culture of Recognition and Performance in Academic Libraries

Academic libraries are unique spaces—centers of learning that prioritize steady, thoughtful support for students and faculty. While the work may not always be fast-paced, it’s certainly purposeful, with staff investing time and care to ensure resources are accessible, knowledge is shared, and community needs are met. However, in environments where the spotlight is often on users, the contributions of library staff can sometimes go unrecognized. Building a culture of appreciation, where team members feel valued for their work, is essential to creating a positive and inclusive library environment.

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Budget Crisis or Bad Management?

Many universities and colleges across the United States are facing budget challenges. In times of financial strain, leaders are faced with tough decisions. Unfortunately, some managers exploit budget crises to eliminate or demote employees they don’t prefer working with, using financial challenges as a convenient cover. This behavior, while perhaps disguised as “cost-saving” or “streamlining,” is unscrupulous and unprofessional, damaging morale, creating resentment, and ultimately hurting the organization.

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Failing Up: Ineffective Leaders in Organizations

It is not uncommon for us to bemoan the curious phenomenon known as "failing up." This term describes a situation in which individuals, despite being unsuccessful or ineffective in their current roles, continue to receive promotions and are entrusted with increasing levels of responsibility. It’s disconcerting but not uncommon, and it can have profound consequences for the organizations these individuals lead.

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7 Signs Your Team Member Feels Undervalued (And What You Can Do About It as a New Manager)

As a new manager, you’re stepping into a leadership role where you not only oversee your team’s work but also ensure that each member feels valued and supported. It’s essential to recognize when an employee may be underperforming because they feel undervalued. Drawing on ideas from Viral Justice by Ruha Benjamin, which emphasizes how small, often-overlooked actions contribute to systemic change, this post offers guidance on identifying when a team member feels undervalued—and, more importantly, what you can do about it to foster a more inclusive and engaged environment.

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7 Signs You’re Undervalued at Work: An Academic Librarian’s Perspective (And What to Do About It)

As academic librarians, we often find ourselves in roles that are critical to our institutions but not always fully recognized. Drawing on the ideas from Viral Justice by Ruha Benjamin, which emphasizes how hidden, often-overlooked actions contribute to systemic change, this post explores how to identify when you're being undervalued—and, crucially, what you can do about it.

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Gossip in Organizations: How Bad is It?

In a recent post we discussed trust and honesty and the impact a lack of these characteristics can have in an organization. When a leader does not embody and demonstrate these characteristics, one result can be the dissemination of information through gossip. Gossip is often seen as a negative behavior in organizations, yet it persists across industries and workplaces. While many may dismiss it as merely idle chatter, gossip can serve as both a source of valuable information (especially in the absence of honest, official communication) and a harmful force that undermines a positive organizational culture. Leaders must, therefore, be able to understand and manage gossip carefully. 

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Existentialism, Viral Justice, and Transforming Toxic Cultures in Academic Libraries

In At the Existentialist Café, Sarah Bakewell highlights Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialist challenge: the idea that every situation should be viewed from the perspective of those who are most oppressed. This concept was revolutionary—it called for not just empathy but radical action, urging us to understand power and suffering from the vantage point of those at the margins. Sartre’s existentialism doesn’t merely theorize about oppression; it demands a shift in how we address systemic injustice, calling for a transformative perspective that echoes loudly today in Ruha Benjamin’s Viral Justice and within the context of academic libraries’ toxic cultures, as explored by Michalak, Dawes, and Cawthorne in Toxic Dynamics.

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How Accommodations Can Solve Workplace Misunderstandings

Workplace misunderstandings are common, and they can range from simple miscommunications to deep-rooted issues affecting team dynamics and productivity. One often overlooked but highly effective solution to these misunderstandings is the implementation of accommodations. Accommodations—whether related to accessibility, work preferences, or communication styles—can pave the way for a more inclusive and harmonious work environment. If we embrace the idea that small adjustments can resolve significant challenges, accommodations could be the key to bridging many of the gaps that cause friction in the workplace.

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Making the Invisible Visible: Recognizing Hidden Labor in Academic Libraries

In academic libraries, much of the critical work happens behind the scenes. While librarians engage in highly visible activities like teaching, reference services, and public-facing events, a significant portion of their labor remains invisible. This hidden labor—essential for maintaining library services, digital collections, and academic resources—often goes unrecognized, leading to underappreciation and burnout among library staff.

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The Importance of Trust and Honesty in Leadership

It seems fitting to write a post about trust and honesty in leadership, especially as we are in the midst of the election cycle in the U.S., and we are bombarded with commercials and other material about the candidates for office in each state and nationally. In libraries and academic institutions, among the things we do is try to help our community members combat mis- and disinformation.  In doing so, we hope to help them understand who is - or who is not telling the truth and who can be trusted. Trust and honesty, of course, apply not only to our elected officials; it applies to us all and certainly to those who are in leadership positions. These characteristics are the cornerstones of any successful leadership. When leaders embody these qualities, they create a culture of openness, transparency, and mutual respect. Without them, an organization will likely falter as employees become disillusioned, disengaged, and distrustful of its mission. 

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Is Your Workplace a "Family"? The Problem with Calling Colleagues Family in Academic Libraries and Higher Education

In many academic libraries and higher education institutions, colleagues are often referred to as “family” in an effort to foster a sense of belonging and support. On the surface, this language may seem well-intentioned, offering comfort in environments that value collaboration and community. However, framing the workplace as a family can have unintended negative consequences, particularly when it comes to trauma and the emotional impact it can have on employees.

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Suits Meet the Stacks: How Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Transforms Academic Libraries

In a seemingly unexpected pairing, the high-stakes drama of Suits offers valuable lessons for professionals working in academic libraries. While the world of corporate law depicted in the TV series may appear far removed from the calm stacks of an academic library, there is a common thread that ties these environments together: the necessity of emotional intelligence (EQ) in navigating workplace dynamics, fostering collaboration, and resolving conflicts.

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Leading with Purpose: Finding Your Authentic Leadership Style Through the CALM Framework and Feedback Loops

In academic libraries and higher education, leadership goes beyond management—it involves fostering equity and inclusivity. The key to impactful leadership lies in finding what is authentic to you. Whether you're a directive, participative, or transformational leader, aligning with your true style will create lasting change. By integrating your authentic leadership style with the CALM framework—Communication, Adaptability, Learning, and Management—and regular feedback loops, you can ensure continuous evolution while prioritizing the needs of the academic community.

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Ready to Transform Your Institution?

Contact us today to discuss how our inclusive knowledge solutions can benefit your higher education establishment.