Increasing Inclusion and Affirmation within Educational Environments

Abstract

The Socio-ecological Model (SEM) is a broad framework that promotes understanding of social change by highlighting the multi-faceted and varied levels of intervention required to create change. According to Glanz (2019) the social ecological model can help educational institutions understand the factors that affect human behavior and provide direction in creating successful programs and interventions. The social ecological model emphasizes “multiple levels of influence (such as individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy) and the idea that behaviors both shape and are shaped by social, built, and natural environments” (2019, para. 1).This study explores how this model may provide educational leaders with a framework for understanding and addressing principles of inclusion and affirmation of diversity by considering various levels of influence that their efforts should address to create inclusivity and affirmation. Additionally, this paper encourages leaders to consider how their current efforts work (or do not work) for a wide-range of diversity and inclusion efforts and to explore what adaptations to current practices could be made to improve existing efforts. Through consideration and adaptation of the socio-ecological model’s levels of influence presented, educational leaders may increase the effectiveness of their inclusion and affirmation efforts.

Presenters

Katherine Soule
Director of the CalFresh Health Equity Initiative, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

Identity and Belonging

KEYWORDS

Inclusion Affirmation Socio-Ecological Approach