Implementing Diversity Training Targeting Faculty Microaggressions and Inclusion: Practical Insights and Initial Findings

Authors

Ellen Ernst Kossek, Purdue University
Patrice M. Buzzanell, University of South Florida
Brittany J. Wright, Purdue University
Cassondra Batz-Barbarich, Lake Forest College
Amy C. Moors, Chapman UniversityFollow
Charlene Sullivan, Purdue University
Klod Kokini, Purdue University
Andrew S. Hirsh, Purdue University
Kayla Maxey, Purdue University
Ankita Nikalje, Purdue University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-7-2022

Abstract

Despite the importance of faculty diversity training for advancing an inclusive society, little research examines whether participation improves inclusion perceptions and belongingness. Integrating training and diversity education literature concepts, this study examines the effectiveness of training targeting microaggressions in six STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) oriented departments at a research-intensive university. Reactions data collected at the end of face-to-face training suggested that participation generally increased inclusion understanding. Self-assessments on inclusion concepts collected from 45% of participants before and three weeks after training suggest participation increases perceptions of the importance of inclusion, microaggression allyship awareness, inclusive behaviors, and organizational identification. Compared to white men, women and minorities reported a greater increase in satisfaction with their department affiliation. While self-assessment results are exploratory and have limitations, analysis suggests that diversity training may enhance knowledge of microaggressions, allyship, inclusive behaviors, and belongingness perceptions. We provide insights for evaluating and implementing diversity training interventions.

Comments

This article was originally published in The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science in 2022. https://doi.org/10.1177/00218863221132321

Recommended Citation

Kossek, E. E., Buzzanell, P. M., Wright, B. J., Batz-Barbarich, C., Moors, A. C., Sullivan, C., Kokini, K., Hirsch, A. S., Maxey, K., & Nikalje, A. (2022). Implementing diversity training targeting faculty microaggressions and inclusion: Practical insights and initial findings. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/00218863221132321

Copyright

The authors

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License