The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, United States
The aim of this Professional Development Workshop (PDW) is to introduce and model three innovative methodologies for reimagining how we approach diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in both research and practice. Traditional DEI initiatives have not “moved the needle,” on producing lasting workplace change, prompting the need for us to considering different approaches to researching and promoting DEI in organizations. We invite participants to actively experience three approaches that can foster new perspectives and actionable insights for advancing DEI, namely (1) Appreciative Inquiry as a practice intervention, (2) causal loop models, from systems thinking, as a means to consider where and why prior initiatives have failed and design new ways to intervene or conceptualize DEI, and (3) the use of agent-based models to perform thought experiments about how DEI interventions would affect a variety of outcomes. The attendees will generate qualitative data based on their workplace DEI experiences using Appreciative Inquiry, then, apply the Appreciative Inquiry-generated data to create participatory causal diagrams in real time, and then develop applicable principles for agent-based models demonstrating how plausible intervention could change DEI outcomes. Our highly participatory format allows for the PDW attendees to leave with practical tools and methodologies applicable to their research and practice, empowering them to enhance inclusion in their organizations and contribute to broader DEI advancements in today’s complex political and social landscape. This session offers an innovative, hands-on exploration of tools to rethink DEI, enabling scholars and practitioners to take transformative action.
