Ohio State ADVANCE Office of Research advance osu

Ohio State ADVANCE Office of Research advance. osu. edu

Optimizing Intersectionality: CREATING AUTHENTIC AND INCLUSIVE SPACES OF DIALOGUE IN THE WORKPLACE AND BEYOND OHIO STATE ADVANCE

Learning Outcomes: 1. Greater understanding of social identities and their impacts 2. Understand the difference between diversity and inclusion and why both are important 3. Gain strategies for creating inclusive spaces OHIO STATE ADVANCE

• • • Who am I? Who are you? Who are we? OHIO STATE ADVANCE PERSPECTIVES EXPERIENCES IDENTITIES

Just by Looking at Me My name is _______ and I am from _______. One thing you cannot tell just by looking at me is _______. This is important for me to tell you because ________. OHIO STATE ADVANCE

Social Identity • Socially constructed ways we define ourselves and are perceived by others • A person’s sense of who they are based on their group memberships • Social identity is based on various • Physical • Visible • Hidden • Regional and • Economic commonalities or any other socially perceived commonalities we share with a group of people • Power imbalance OHIO STATE ADVANCE

Examples of Social Identity • Race • Ethnicity • Nationality • Gender Identity • Sexual Orientation • Religion/Spirituality • Ability • Socioeconomic Status • Age OHIO STATE ADVANCE

Personal Identity • A distinguishing characteristic(s) a person takes pride in • Forms a basis for the person’s self-worth, individuality and distinction • Values OHIO STATE ADVANCE

Examples of Personal Identity • Volunteer • Hard worker • Daughter, Son, Mother, Father • Artist • Chef • Creative writer • Athlete OHIO STATE ADVANCE

Multiple Identities & Intersectionality • Each person has both personal and social identities • Additionally, we experience our identities differently based upon how they intersect with other identities • Intersectionality is the examination of overlapping or intersecting social identities and related systems of oppression, domination and/or discrimination. OHIO STATE ADVANCE

Social Identity Wheel • The wheel is just for you • If you are questioning an identity, it is okay to leave it blank • If you are confused about what an identity means or do not know how to respond, please ask me OHIO STATE ADVANCE

Diversity & Inclusion • Diversity: a representation of many different social identities • Inclusion: deliberate act of creating and encouraging safe and welcoming spaces where all are able to fully participate in an equitable way • Diversity is what you have. Inclusion is what you do. • Inclusion = Diversity + Engagement OHIO STATE ADVANCE

Transforming Culture • The workplace is governed by informal rules and practices that effect behavior and culture. • These rules and practices are learned over time and can be difficult to unlearn. They are often based on biases and stereotypes. • If culture is not transformed, structures and policies cannot, on their own, create equitable and inclusive organizations. • Therefore, to transform culture, we must begin with self-reflection. WE must address our own privileges and we must understand our own social identities as well as learn about the identities of others. OHIO STATE ADVANCE

Creating Inclusion in the Workplace 1. Commitment by leaders to create a culture that listens and invites participation 2. Opportunities for self-reflection through guided exercises 3. Opportunities for open dialogue across difference with outside facilitation 4. Clear communication regarding the positive correlations between inclusion and innovation OHIO STATE ADVANCE

Nicole Nieto, Ph. D nieto. 12@osu. edu