Diversity Measures
Backlash to Diversity Programs and the Role of Intersectionality View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Stella Pinna Pintor, Raffaele Alberto Ventura
The sociological and cultural shifts sweeping today's societies are leading to profound changes in organizations. The growing demand for inclusion and equality measures is prompting companies to implement programs for more effective diversity management. Nevertheless, backlash to diversity programs is a phenomenon documented in the literature, defined as a negative reaction to changes in organizations due to the introduction of diversity and inclusion policies. Usually, these kinds of resistance to diversity come from members of the majority group, who see these programs as a threat to their status quo. However, there are other forms of resistance that involve minority groups and that have more rarely been explored in depth. Conceptual analysis of the sociological and philosophical framework that has led to the definition of diversity programs can help identify the political reasons for the backlashes, by shedding light on the factors of the economy of inclusion. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic, focusing on the various players in the “equality-diversity-inclusion industrial complex” and the constraints and incentives for implementing diversity policies. Finally, taking note of the virtuous results of the interventions aimed at enhancing inclusion, the main criticisms of inclusion policies will be analyzed in order to shed light on the nodes where resistance to their implementation is consolidated. In particular, the intersectional perspective is used to provide guidelines for the development of diversity programs to avoid the risk of essentializing identities and provide a more effective and inclusive approach.
Black Women Getting a Seat at the Table in the Video Game Industry
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Tianna Miles
Intersectionality poses a number of unique challenges for Black women pursuing careers in the video games industry. We motivate further research on this group through existing literature and insights from running a research group on the group design of human-centered data science games in a collaborative university setting. We take an autoethnographic perspective on the topic, with the first and second authors grounding their findings in their own experiences as Black women in STEM and with video game development studios. We outline tangible actions toward the recruitment, development, and retention of Black women in the video games industry in the future.
Voices Within: Exploring Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Canadian Grassroots Arts Organizations View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Zeinab Farokhi
This paper investigates Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) within grassroots arts organizations across Canada. Analogously referred to as DEI and/or DEIJ, our research endeavors to amplify the voices of those intimately engaged in the critical navigation of these complexities – individuals who actively participate in the co-creation of EDI strategies and policies from within, rather than having them imposed externally (Ahmed, 2012). As Kujawa astutely notes, “emergent data suggests that broad definitions of these words minimize the unique and fractal nature of the issues specific to a locality” (2022, p. 62). Thus, our paper navigates these intricate nuances by embracing a community-framed approach, acknowledging the necessity for nuanced definitions of EDI that resonate with the particularities of individual regions. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with representatives from various arts organizations, our study aims to elucidate several key aspects: (a) the evolving discourses surrounding EDI within these organizations; (b) innovative strategies employed to integrate EDI practices into their operations; and (c) the diverse approaches adopted by different arts organizations in negotiating the terrain of EDI. By delving into these realms, our research contributes to a deeper understanding of EDI dynamics within grassroots arts organizations, thereby fostering more inclusive and equitable practices within our communities.
