Diversity in times of polarisation

Discussions on diversity and inclusion in higher education have in recent years become increasingly politicised and more often lead to heated reactions. This is revealed by a large-scale investigation into the diversity and inclusion policies of 21 higher education media from 13 universities and eight university of applied science in the Netherlands.

While a few years ago it was mostly about performance-based themes such as more women at the top and recruiting more international students, the discussions are now about anti-racism, gender identity and adapting (‘decolonising’) education, the survey reveals. In the article below, several diversity officers talk about having been threatened.

Attempts to make education more inclusive regularly meet resistance from both supporters and opponents of diversity policies. Whether it is about adjusting a western bias in the curriculum or the sign hanging on the toilet door. Below, the four biggest points of contention are discussed.

Diversity officers want to make their institution a place where no one experiences additional barriers due to factors such as race or gender. Almost all of them face negative or intimidating reactions, some even receive threats.

From a more inclusive curriculum to a rainbow zebra crossing and target figures for female professors. Higher education institutions are doing all kinds of things when it comes to diversity and inclusion. What do students and staff see in practice from all the resolutions and notes?

“If I have learned one thing in recent months while researching diversity and inclusion in higher education, it is that words matter,” writes editor-in-chief Wieneke Gunneweg.

The research ‘Diversity in times of polarisation’ was conducted by the independent journalistic media of higher education institutions organised in the Council of Editors-in-Chief of Higher Education Media.

What does diversity look like through the eyes of a photographer? Thanh Nguyen studies Communication and Media and photographs for Erasmus Magazine. She made a photo series about hairstyles. “A hairstyle is a way to express yourself.”

What does diversity look like through the eyes of a photographer? Ali Alshamayleh studies Communication and Media and is a photographer. His series is about talent. “You don’t have to look far to see an amazing diversity in what people do outside of academia.”

A lack of diversity in medical research could result in misdiagnoses or ineffective medication. Cardiovascular diseases often present very differently in women than they do in men, for instance. Ideas for solutions vary. “Heterogeneity muddies the waters.”