Institutionalizing Diversity: How Universities Are Promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

How are universities addressing the growing concerns about equal opportunities in higher education? This study examines the actions taken by 156 universities in different regions to improve opportunities for historically underrepresented groups. The research highlights a significant investment in institutionalizing initiatives to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion across multiple aspects of university life.

Focusing on 23 key institutions, the study identifies the dominant diversity models adopted by universities from different regions. It examines how these diversity initiatives are integrated into the university's organizational framework, the specific issues and demographic groups targeted, and the tools and actions used to achieve their goals.

Despite regional differences, our study reveals a widespread global diffusion of diversity initiatives in higher education. In particular, the leading universities in each country share a common approach to structuring these efforts. This approach typically involves the establishment of an autonomous office dedicated to diversity that is positioned high within the university's governance structure. This office is often led by a faculty or staff member with significant expertise and supported by a committee or board representing various university stakeholders.

Our findings indicate that many of these diversity initiatives reflect a recent shift from earlier efforts focused primarily on gender inequality to a broader emphasis on diversity and inclusion. In addition, almost all of the diversity statements emphasize excellence as the primary goal of the university's initiatives, suggesting that excellence can be a driver and justification for institutional change toward diversity.