Equality and Diversity

Upside-Down Equality

by Laurence THOMAS

This paper --inspired by experience in South Africa-- is anti-Kantian in the sense that there is much that is deep and... more This paper --inspired by experience in South Africa-- is anti-Kantian in the sense that there is much that is deep and important that we cannot begin to understand in the absence of experience.  All the ratiocination in the world cannot equal the experience of interacting with another.  It seems to me that philosophers are way too besotted with their skills to be clever than they are with the reality of social interaction.  This paper is about that simple but yet ever so profound reality.

Graduate student perceptions of college of education culture and climate.

by Cynthia Lee A. Pemberton

Pemberton, C., Ray, B., Said, H., Easterly, D., & Belcher, C. (2010). Graduate student perceptions of college of education culture and climate. Advancing Women in Leadership, 30(5), 1-23. Available:
http://www.advancingwomen.com/awl/awl_wordpress/

This study queried graduate student perceptions of, and experiences with harassment and discrimination in a college of... more This study queried graduate student perceptions of, and experiences with harassment and discrimination in a college of education (COE). The study employed inclusive sampling,
targeting all graduate students enrolled in COE classes from fall 2000 to summer 2006. One hundred and ninety-three surveys were completed and returned (12% response rate). While
findings revealed relatively low incidences of harassment (26 incidents or 13.5%) and discrimination (27 incidents or 14%) within the COE; with oral remarks, in terms of insensitive
or disparaging comments, perpetrated by faculty and students, within COE classrooms, the most frequent form of harassment/ discrimination observed and/or experienced; this study contributes yet another example of data-driven evidence regarding the ongoing need in higher education settings for organizations and individuals to act with intentionality and purpose to ameliorate persistent harassment and discrimination

Desacuerdo sin reconciliacion: democracia, igualdad y la esfera pública (2012)

by Benjamin Arditi

Debate Feminista, Año 23, No. 1, México, 2012, pp. 41-59

Nancy Fraser alega que la esfera pública nunca estuvo a la altura del supuesto de igualdad irrestricta previsto por... more Nancy Fraser alega que la esfera pública nunca estuvo a la altura del supuesto de igualdad irrestricta previsto por Arendt y Habermas. También sostiene que la igualdad socioeconómica es una condición necesaria para que haya una esfera pública genuinamente democrática. Esto es problemático, pero no porque la igualdad sea un objetivo cuestionable sino porque se la asocia con narrativas clásicas de la emancipación y por ende con un ethos de la reconciliación, al menos de manera implícita. La alternativa que propongo consiste en pensar el espacio público a partir de un ethos de la polémica y en usar dos criterios para enmarcar su relación con la igualdad. Uno de ellos es que el espacio público surge a través de polémicas en torno al estatus de lo dado. Estas ponen a prueba la frontera entre lo público y lo privado y muy a menudo la reconfigura. El otro criterio es que la igualdad es siempre una igualdad disputada y por venir. Esto no se debe a que la igualdad sea una mera presencia diferida —una igualdad ideal que aún no ha arribado— sino a que no puede tener un punto final: el problema de la igualdad vuelve a aparecer cada vez que hay un intento por verificarla.

Fluid Ethnicity and Ethnic Transcendence in Multiracial Churches

by Gerardo Marti

Assumptions of racial essentialism lead to inadequate analysis of multiracial churches. Instead, acknowledging ethnic... more Assumptions of racial essentialism lead to inadequate analysis of multiracial churches. Instead, acknowledging ethnic identity as a negotiated phenomenon encourages a richer investigation of how congregational participation stimulates and redefines a person's racial and ethnic identity. The malleability of ethnic identity is such that it is often obscured in favor of other aspects of self. Ethnographic analysis of two multiracial churches, Mosaic and Oasis, indicates that particularistic ethnic affiliations recede when otherworldly, value-rational interests are emphasized. Ethnic transcendence occurs when members adopt a shared identity based on a uniquely congregational understanding of what it means to be a properly religious person (a proper “Christian,”“Jew,”“Muslim,”“Buddhist,” etc.). In short, the distinctive accomplishment of multiracial congregations is the cultivation of an inclusive religious identity that overrides divisive aspects of ethnic identity. Moreover, recognizing the varying salience of racial and ethnic identity evokes greater caution regarding what can be assumed when researchers apply the label “multiracial” to congregations.

Affinity, Identity, and Transcendence: The Experience of Religious Racial Integration in Diverse Congregations

by Gerardo Marti

How do members of disparate ethnic and racial heritages come to identify and achieve stable affiliation with... more How do members of disparate ethnic and racial heritages come to identify and achieve stable affiliation with multiracial congregations? This article specifies an approach to understanding member experiences of corporate belonging in diverse congregations using ethnic identity theory. Synthesizing ethnographic data drawn from two extensive case studies, the article provides a heuristic model for understanding the process by which members of disparate ethnic and racial heritages come to identify and achieve stable affiliation with multiethnic/multiracial congregations. Three “moments” (affinity with the congregation, identity reorientation, and ethnic transcendence) represent key phases in the lived religious experience of members as they co-construct common bonds of spiritual kinship. Cautions and suggestions are provided for future research.

When Does Religious Racial Integration “Count?” A Caution About Seeking Ideal Ethnographic Cases

by Gerardo Marti

If the particular demographics of attenders, their storied backgrounds, and the peculiar aspects of their social and... more If the particular demographics of attenders, their storied backgrounds, and the peculiar aspects of their social and economic circumstances fail to conform to an “ideal scenario” of “ultimate” diversity, we might find ourselves disappointed. This appears to be one of the most important aspects of Richard Pitt's critique. Pitt desires a different “ideal” case for analysis, a church with black leadership and a clear black dominance that successfully integrates whites. Such an analysis is sorely needed, but this does not reflect the dynamics of Oasis nor does it address what has been one of the most pressing questions among scholars of diversity over the past decade. Given that any black-white integration is rare, I would not so easily dismiss the specifics of this case. Indeed, rather than merely reverse the case, I want to radicalize the critique. It is time to more purposefully examine diversity beyond the “racial divide,” and I suggest here several ways we can expand the research agenda on diverse congregations.

The Religious Racial Integration of African Americans into Diverse Churches

by Gerardo Marti

Recent scholarship asserts that members of racial groups can transcend their ethnic differences, but other research... more Recent scholarship asserts that members of racial groups can transcend their ethnic differences, but other research asserts that ethnoracial identities must be reinforced in order to participate in multiracial churches. Analysis of field notes and interview data from a large, black-white Protestant congregation shows that while the core membership of African Americans come specifically for its ethnic and racial diversity, they also look for markers that affirm a distinctive African-American experience. Ethnic reinforcement attracts highly race-conscious participants who eventually move toward processes of ethnic transcendence and congregational integration. The value for researchers is that distinguishing ethnically transcendent and ethnically reinforcing processes encourages the discovery of subtle, racially specific, and continually reinforced affinities that would otherwise remain hidden in seemingly ethnically transcendent settings.

Visibility and Voice in Organisations: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Employee Networks

by Fiona Colgan

co-authored with Aidan McKearney

Purpose - This paper considers organisation and union lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) networks and... more Purpose - This paper considers organisation and union lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) networks and groups in the U.K. The paper explores the rationale for establishing LGBT trade union and company networks and examines the ways in which they can facilitate employee visibility and voice for LGBT organisational members.

Design/methodology/approach - Primary Research took place during a two-year period 2004-2006. The fieldwork involved in-depth interviews with 149 lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) employees and 55 management, trade union and LGB group representatives within 14 case study organisations across public, private and voluntary sectors.

Findings - The research highlights the pivotal role played by LGBT employees in driving, establishing and sustaining organisation and union networks. Findings indicate that LGBT company employee networks and LGBT union groups were highly valued by most LGB respondents as important support mechanisms and as a potential vehicle for encouraging and facilitating LGB voice and involvement. Employers and trade unions supported the development of networks and there was broad recognition of the organisational benefits that such diversity networks offered.

Practical implications - This paper provides important insights into the rationale for and potential benefits of LGBT company networks and union groups. These insights are of practical assistance to practitioners, employees and others involved in the equality and diversity management arena.

Originality/value - Despite the growing number of British based organisations which have established LGBT company networks, there has been little research or inquiry aimed at evaluating how such groups work. The research addresses this gap by focusing on organisations which are perceived as ‘good practice employers’.

Visibility and Voice in Organisations: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Employee Networks

by Fiona Colgan

co-authored with Aidan McKearney

Purpose - This paper considers organisation and union lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) networks and... more Purpose - This paper considers organisation and union lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) networks and groups in the U.K. The paper explores the rationale for establishing LGBT trade union and company networks and examines the ways in which they can facilitate employee visibility and voice for LGBT organisational members.

Design/methodology/approach - Primary Research took place during a two-year period 2004-2006. The fieldwork involved in-depth interviews with 149 lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) employees and 55 management, trade union and LGB group representatives within 14 case study organisations across public, private and voluntary sectors.

Findings - The research highlights the pivotal role played by LGBT employees in driving, establishing and sustaining organisation and union networks. Findings indicate that LGBT company employee networks and LGBT union groups were highly valued by most LGB respondents as important support mechanisms and as a potential vehicle for encouraging and facilitating LGB voice and involvement. Employers and trade unions supported the development of networks and there was broad recognition of the organisational benefits that such diversity networks offered.

Practical implications - This paper provides important insights into the rationale for and potential benefits of LGBT company networks and union groups. These insights are of practical assistance to practitioners, employees and others involved in the equality and diversity management arena.

Originality/value - Despite the growing number of British based organisations which have established LGBT company networks, there has been little research or inquiry aimed at evaluating how such groups work. The research addresses this gap by focusing on organisations which are perceived as ‘good practice employers’.

Morgan, H and Houghton, A (2011)Inclusive Curriculum Design in Higher Education:Considerations for effective practice across and within subject areas York: The Higher Education Academy

by Hannah Morgan

The Higher Education Academy (HEA) commissioned this guide
to support the higher education sector to think... more The Higher Education Academy (HEA) commissioned this guide
to support the higher education sector to think creatively
about inclusive curriculum design from a generic as well as
subject or disciplinary perspective.

It is an imperative on institutions that they design their
curriculum in such a way as to promote success among all
students. An inclusive curriculum design approach is one that
takes into account students’ educational, cultural and social
background and experience as well as the presence of any
physical or sensory impairment and their mental well-being. It
enables higher education institutions (HEI) to embed quality
enhancement processes that ensure an anticipatory response
to equality in learning and teaching. This practical guidance
draws on a wide range of activity and innovation within the
sector and offers examples of effective strategies and general
resources to support the curriculum design process.

Racial Capitalism

by Nancy Leong

126 Harvard Law Review ____ (forthcoming 2013)

Racial capitalism — the process of deriving social and economic value from racial identity — is a longstanding,... more Racial capitalism — the process of deriving social and economic value from racial identity — is a longstanding, common, and deeply problematic practice. This Article is the first to identify racial capitalism as a systemic phenomenon and to undertake a close examination of its causes and consequences.

The Article focuses on instances of racial capitalism in which white individuals and predominantly white institutions use non-white people to acquire social and economic value. Our affirmative action doctrine provides much of the impetus for this form of racial capitalism. That doctrine has fueled an intense legal and social preoccupation with the notion of diversity, which encourages white individuals and predominantly white institutions to engage in racial capitalism by using non-white people to acquire social and economic value. An examination of these consequences is particularly timely given the Supreme Court’s recent grant of certiorari in Fisher v. University of Texas.

Racial capitalism has serious negative consequences both for individuals and for society as a whole. The process of racial capitalism requires commodification of racial identity, which degrades that identity by reducing it to another thing to be bought and sold. Commodification also fosters racial resentment by causing non-white people to feel used or exploited by white people. And the superficial value assigned to non-whiteness within a system of racial capitalism displaces measures that would lead to meaningful social reform.

In an ideal society, commodification of racial identity would not occur. Given the imperfections of our current society, however, the Article instead proposes a pragmatic approach of reactive commodification. Under this approach, we would discourage commodification of race. But if commodification did occur, we would identify it as commodification, call attention to its harms, and ensure that non-white individuals received compensation for the value derived from their racial identity. This approach will ultimately allow progress toward a society in which we successfully recognize and respect racial identity without engaging in racial capitalism.

An Emic Approach to Intersectional Study of Diversity atWork: A Bourdieuan Framing

by Ahu Tatli

Tatli, A. and Özbilgin, M. (forthcoming) An Emic Approach to Intersectional Study of Diversity atWork: A Bourdieuan Framing. International Journal of Management Reviews. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2370.2011.00326.x

This paper presents an emic approach, which is sensitive to the emergence of new categories of difference, in... more This paper presents an emic approach, which is sensitive to the emergence of new categories of difference, in intersectional study of workforce diversity. The paper first provides a comprehensive review of the literature on diversity at work in the business and management field, identifying that this literature is predominantly etic in nature, as it focuses on pre-established, rather than emergent, categories of difference. Next, an emic approach to researching diversity at work is offered. In offering an emic approach, the key distinction the paper makes is the direction of the investigation. Unlike the dominant etic approach, which adopts pre-established (ex ante) diversity categories, the emic perspective proposed identifies emergent and situated categories of diversity ex post, as embedded in a specific time and place. In order to operationalize the emic approach, the use of the Bourdieuan theory of capitals is suggested, and a five-step research guide is presented.

Proposition 8 struck down US Court of Appeals 10-16696

by Romero Anton Montalban Anderssen

Some Potential Benefits of a Universal System

by Poppy Valentine

This is a thought paper on the power of the fusion of knowledge, love and diversity and what I believe that has to... more This is a thought paper on the power of the fusion of knowledge, love and diversity and what I believe that has to offer humanity.

Values, Diversity and the Justification of EU Institutions

by Emanuela Ceva

co-authored with Gideon Calder, published in Political Studies, 57, 2009

Liberal theories of justice typically claim that political institutions should be justifiable to those who live under... more Liberal theories of justice typically claim that political institutions should be justifiable to those who live under them – whatever their values. The more such values diverge, the greater the challenge of justifiability. Diversity of this kind becomes especially pronounced when the institutions in question are supranational. Focusing on the case of the European Union, this article aims to address a basic question: what kinds of values should inform the justification of political institutions facing a plurality of value systems? One route to an answer is provided by John Rawls, who famously distinguishes between comprehensive and political values, and defends the exclusion of the former from the foundations of a political theory of justice. This article questions the tenability of the Rawlsian solution, and draws attention to an alternative twofold conceptual distinction: that between minimal and non-minimal and between substantive and procedural values. Minimal values are meant to be as independent as possible of controversial conceptions of the good and views of the world, regardless of whether these are comprehensive or purely political. It will be argued that their endorsement may thus further specify the nature of what should be shared in order to justify political institutions in conditions of pluralism. In order to refine further the account of such a basis of justification, two variants of minimalism will be presented according to whether they invest substantive or procedural values. Substantive values qualify the property of an outcome; procedural values qualify the property of a procedure. The latter part of the article consists of a ‘face-off’ between minimal proceduralism and minimal substantivism, considering reasons in favour of the adoption of each. The result, we suggest, is a helpful reorientation of the political dimension of the value debates to which the multiplicity of values amid contemporary European horizons give rise.

Equality, diversity and corporate social responsibility: Sexual orientation in the UK private sector

by Fiona Colgan

Colgan, F.’ (2011) published in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, 30:8.

Purpose - Explore the triggers to the development of sexual orientation diversity policy and practice in the UK... more Purpose - Explore the triggers to the development of sexual orientation diversity policy and practice in the UK private sector based on the perspectives of those 'championing' sexual orientation diversity work.

Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on 22 in-depth key informant interviews which can be broken down as follows: diversity specialists (5), management (6, of whom 3 were sexual orientation senior management ‘champions’ in their organisations), trade union (3) and LGBT network group representatives (8) as well as access to company and trade union websites and publications. Interviews sought to trace the history of sexual orientation equality and diversity work, development of structures, policies and practices as well as triggers and barriers to progress and areas of innovation.

Findings - Recent literature on equality and diversity in the British national context has sought to explore the implications of a social justice versus a business case driven equality and diversity agenda. This paper considers that this dichotomous analysis can be unhelpful. Within the private sector case studies, the difference between the two approaches was not clear-cut. The corporate social responsibility agenda seemed to offer a broader vision for sexual orientation diversity work in a global context. It promised a more activist awareness of international human rights standards, stakeholder involvement plus links between employee and customer rights and concerns

Originality/value - The paper addresses a gap in knowledge regarding sexual orientation diversity management in the UK private sector. It also considers the links between corporate social responsibility and sexual orientation diversity management.

Spirals of silence - Editorial

by Fiona Colgan

Colgan, F. & McKearney, A. (2011) Guest Editors, special edition, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, special edition on ‘Spirals of Silence? Tackling the ‘invisibility’ of the sexual orientation strand and sexuality in academic research and in organisation equality/diversity policy and practice,’ Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, 30:8.

Purpose - This editorial introduces the papers within the special issue and outlines their contribution to the... more Purpose - This editorial introduces the papers within the special issue and outlines their contribution to the emerging and evolving study of sexuality and sexual orientation in organisation and management studies.

Design/methodology/approach - A review of some key themes within the literature on sexuality and sexual orientation was provided prior to drawing out key points within the submitted papers and considering how they contribute to this literature.

Findings - These six paper make an important contribution to the fast changing and evolving study of sexuality and sexual orientation in organisation and the development and implementation of equality and diversity policy and practice.

Originality/value - The special issue includes articles based on new and original research which aim to contribute to a better understanding of sexuality and sexual orientation within the field of organisation and management.

Aging and Age-related Factors: Effects on Foreign Language Achievement

by salinee antarasena

Journal of English Studies. 3 (2007), 106-118

An Assistive Technology for Blind and Partially Sighted Students in Creative Writing Class

by salinee antarasena

The International Journal of Technology Knowledge & Society. 4: 1 (2008), 133-140

For decades, blind and partially sighted students have relied heavily on the assistance of volunteers, on cassettes... more For decades, blind and partially sighted students have relied heavily on the assistance of volunteers, on cassettes recorded the books they need as well as on Braille or DAISY books in public libraries. Limited numbers of volunteers as well as the costly production and distribution plan for Braille and DAISY books, however, have made the books available for them insufficient to meet their reading and learning needs. At the university, some students with vision loss also report difficulty for transportation to their school and to classes that require class participation or practical skills. Creative Writing Class then attempts to integrate lessons and activities into the web, with the use of assistive technology that enable them to practice their writing skills at wherever they would want to study. At the early stage of this course, the students report satisfactory progress in using the assistive technology and start building their first websites.

Perceptions of Stress and Intonation in Group of Prelingually Deaf Students

by salinee antarasena

2010 Seoul International Conference on Linguistics

The study is designed to investigate the phonological awareness whether it can develop in isolation with letter-sound... more The study is designed to investigate the phonological awareness whether it can develop in isolation with letter-sound knowledge. The sample population recruited for this study included 24 prelingually deaf students, between ages of 20 years and 22 years, all of whom had severe hearing loss in both ears (greater than 90 dB) and both sexes were represented in each group. The control group consisted of 11 students and the experimental group, 13 students (with more significant hearing loss and no prior use of amplification. The spontaneous coding of presented words in a task of stress and intonation recall consists of two separated sets of rhythmic units (both in Thai and English) randomly taken from lessons in secondary school and early years at university level. The test was comprised of 282 isolated words in Thai (from three syllables to nine syllables) and 46 isolated words (from two syllables to five syllables) in English. A set of solid color cues was then created; each color is assigned to one phonotactical rules of addressed phonology.