Workshop for Educators - “Documenting the Dead: Toul Sleng Portraits and Remembrance of the Cambodian Genocide”
In this day-long workshop, we will examine the role of visual archives in shaping how mass violence is remembered and taught, with a focus on the photographic records produced at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (formerly S-21 prison). Situating these images within the history of the Cambodian Genocide under the Khmer Rouge, the workshop will provide essential background on the regime’s system of detention, interrogation, and documentation. Participants will explore the complex afterlives of the S-21 portraits, considering both their value as powerful tools of remembrance and education, and the ethical challenges they raise, particularly around representation, consent, and the risk of reobjectifying victims. By engaging these photographs as both historical evidence and pedagogical material, the workshop invites reflection on how we document the dead and the responsibilities involved in teaching histories of genocide.
This workshop will be facilitated by Dr. Ken MacLean (Clark University) and Dr. Sandra Grudić (Coordinator of Educational Outreach).
Learning Outcomes:
Educators who successfully complete this workshop will be able to:
- Explain the historical context of the Cambodian Genocide and the role of Tuol Sleng (S-21) within the Khmer Rouge system of detention and violence.
- Analyze how visual archives and photographic records shape public memory and historical understanding of mass violence.
- Critically examine the ethical challenges involved in using images of victims in educational and memorial contexts, including questions of consent, representation, and reobjectification.
- Consider how archives, museums, and visual culture contribute to broader processes of remembrance, accountability, and human rights education.
Additional Information:
This workshop will take place fully in-person on campus at Keene State. Breakfast, lunch, and workshop materials are provided to participants at no cost. Workshop attendees will receive a certificate of completion listing the number of professional development hours completed. Please note that this workshop is open to all active educators (middle school, high school, and post-secondary). Please direct any questions to coheninstitute.education@keene.edu.
Registration:
There is no cost to attend this workshop; however, space is limited and advanced registration is required. The hard deadline to register for this workshop (if spaces still remain) is 5:00 pm ET on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
This event is part of the Cohen Institute calendar.
To request accommodations for a disability, please contact the coordinator at least two weeks prior to the event.
