Integrated Equity Support

The Integrated Equity Support (IES) works to remove barriers and biases that disadvantage under-represented women minorities and women faculty of color, with a special focus on those with family responsibilities, in part through cross-institutional programming that allows universities to tap into additional diversity-related resources they may not have on campus. This includes cross-institutional mentoring communities and department chair training. In addition, the Allies and Advocates program engages organizational elements not traditionally involved in gender equity, thereby expanding an institution’s capacity to affect organizational change. The Women’s Caucus is a cross-institutional forum for shared discussions of what works and what does not work as well as for finding and sharing educational events that support the other initiatives. Through these grassroots efforts, the IES seeks as its larger goal to value difference and re-vision more inclusive STEM cultures, aligning well with the institutionally-transformative frames of how organizations work toward gender equity.

Process

We draw on the best practice of creating joint diversity initiatives that can serve to support each other within and across institutions. Research indicates that many diversity initiatives, such as diversity training, generate disappointing results in part because they are stand-alone programs that are not reinforced or supported with other related programming (Bezrukova, et al., 2016; Rynes & Rosen, 1995).

Following are links to a set of videos created in another ADVANCE program in which this need to approach diversity practices from multiple levels while tailoring programming to context is discussed. Additionally, you will find slide sets that illustrate our IES concept.

Videos developed by the NSF ADVANCE StratEGIC project at Colorado State University offer useful guides to 1) examining context and 2) working at multiple levels for institutional change.
- StratEGICToolkit: Perspectives on the Role of Context in Shaping Change
- StratEGIC Toolkit: Perspectives on Working for Change at Multiple Levels

Laursen, S. L., & Austin, A. E. (2014). StratEGIC Toolkit: Strategies for Effecting Gender Equity and Institutional Change. Boulder, CO, and East Lansing, MI. www.strategictoolkit.org

Schematic of the Integrated Equity Support (IES) solution.

IES ADVANCE Midwest Partnership presentations
The following presentations/graphics demonstrate the conceptual framework and benefits of the Integrated Equity Solution (IES).
- Presentation slides on the IES concept, Iowa State, March 2020
- Synergy Infographic for IES presentation of Picture a Scientist

Below is a video introduction to the integrated package of programs in the Partnership.