Courageous Conversations: Embedding equitable and inclusive practices in the workplace

From hiring and retention to candidate selection and employee development, organizations across North America are grappling with how to embed equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) best practices across the employment cycle. Experts are shedding light on the critical need for research-based scientific approaches to fostering inclusive workplaces. 

Dr. Eden King, the Lynette S. Autrey Professor of Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Rice University, and Dr. Mikki Hebl, the Martha and Henry Malcolm Lovett Professor of Psychological Sciences with an additional appointment in the Jones Graduate School of Business, will share insights from their extensive research in a talk titled Working Together: Practicing the Science of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. The event is part of the Courageous Conversations speaker series, created by the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and is co-presented in partnership with the Haskayne School of Business. 

Drawing on over 100 scholarly publications, King's research has been instrumental in identifying barriers that stigmatized groups face, from gender inequities and racial discrimination to challenges encountered by individuals with invisible disabilities. 

"EDI isn't just a matter of good intentions," says King. "We've spent decades applying scientific principles to understand what marginalized individuals experience in the workplace and, more importantly, how organizations can create environments that genuinely support all employees." 

Dr. Malinda Smith, Vice-Provost of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Calgary, also stresses the need for leadership to move beyond tokenism and performativity, which often fail to result in meaningful change. 

“We must commit to inclusive governance and leadership, and to modelling our principles and values,” she says. “There’s a fatigue with talk and no action, with tokenism and performativity that do not result in meaningful change," says Smith. "We must do things differently and be more intentional about meaningfully and respectfully engaging diverse people, voices, ideas, and perspectives at the decision-making tables.” 

King's commitment to social justice was influenced when she witnessed her father's experience with a prosthetic limb — an invisible disability that often led to people treating him differently when it was revealed. 

"For much of my life, my dad's disability was just part of who he was to me," King explains. "But when people learned about it, I saw first-hand how their attitudes changed. That shaped my desire to advocate for equity and justice and ensure that everyone is treated fairly." 

The Courageous Conversations discussion will highlight how recent social movements, including #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo, have underscored the role of the workplace in perpetuating or challenging systemic discrimination. 

“The topic is timely, evidence-based, visionary, and it dovetails with our Courageous Conversations series on Togetherness,” says Smith. “We are meeting in the context of great social uncertainty, polarization, and anxiety about the future, and we are interested in how we all learn, work, and live well together."

King and Hebl's presentation will highlight demographic shifts expected in North America and the challenges marginalized groups face in workplaces. Their research spans a range of identities, including race, gender, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, and age. 

"One of the best practices we've identified is the importance of structured interviews," King said. "By deciding ahead of time what makes a good employee and focusing on relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities, we reduce the likelihood of biases creeping into the hiring process." 

King advises approaching EDIA conversations with grace and openness, especially when missteps are inevitable. "We need to assume good intent and communicate that intent to others," she said. "Mistakes will happen, but creating a culture where feedback is welcomed without fear is key to making real progress,” she says. “I'm hopeful that we can continue to make progress, but it requires collective effort and courage from organizational leaders and individuals alike." 

Working Together: Practicing the Science of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Presented by the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion’s Courageous Conversations Speaker Series in collaboration with the Haskayne School of Business.

• Thursday, October 10, 2024 
• 3:30 - 5 p.m. MT
• Hybrid - MacEwan Hall Ballroom + online

Based on research conducted by Dr. Malinda Smith, the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion has created a multi-media resource for the campus community. Visit the Diversity and Excellence Research Hub for a wide range of resources that help to challenge diversity myths and misinformation.