Diversity and inclusion in academia and beyond

In the academic year 2023-2024 this course will take place in a hybrid form.

The notions of “diversity” and “inclusion” are gaining prominence fast in social, political and academic discourse, and with good reason. Exclusion of categories of people, because of their skin colour, ethnicity, gender or other backgrounds, is a historical abomination which of course cannot be tolerated.

But what does it really mean in practice to be diverse and inclusive as an organization or as an individual? How can the notions of diversity and inclusion be construed, and how are they implemented in policy at the university and elsewhere? Are there “good” and “bad” forms of inclusion and diversity? And which deeper societal and political discussions and frictions have initiated or ensued from such policies?

We will reflect on all such questions in this course. There will be 3 highly interactive sessions with exercises and group discussions, next to some lectures.

The course is relevant for all students. There are no requirements for prior knowledge or training. Rather, the requirements are intellectual and emotional: please come with an open mind, with respect for the opinions and experiences of others, with a willingness to both talk openly and listen attentively.

After this course, you will:

• Better understand the meanings and relevance of diversity and inclusion in everyday life;
• Be aware of socio-political discussions and scholarly literature relevant to diversity and inclusion;
• Be able to reflect critically on the do’s and don’ts of diversity and inclusion policy;
• Be able to critically reflect on ways in which diversity and inclusion in research methodology and content can lead to innovation;
• Be able to critically argue the relevance and importance of accounting for diversity and inclusion in research teams and leadership;
• Understand the different focus areas of and collaborations within the educational system that can help achieving inclusive education goals.

Session 1: Diversity and inclusion in daily life
In the first session, we will explore the meanings and relevance of diversity and inclusion based on your own experiences in ordinary life. Have you ever felt excluded? Were others able to understand your exclusion? In what ways do you feel different from others in your class / degree programme / work environment? When has that difference been productive, and when a source of difficulty?

Session 2: Diversity and inclusion in principle and theory
In session 2, we will explore how the concepts of diversity and inclusion are varyingly understood and debated in public and policy circles and in the scholarly literature; reflect on the relevance of often invoked related concepts, such as privilege and intersectionality; and explore how diversity and inclusion can be promoted in productive ways, while being aware of the possible limitations of the concepts and the entire discourse in which they’re embedded.

Session 3: Diversity and inclusion in academia
Session 3 discusses the value and implementation of diversity and inclusion (and the related concepts of equity and access) at Erasmus University and in the academic world generally. We will discuss, for instance, how one can foster an inclusive classroom, and how one can incorporate diversity and inclusion in research.