Different Boats, The Same Storm: A Colloquium on Implementing DEI in Challenging Times

Abstract

Abstract: Advertising & Society Quarterly held its sixth Colloquium on November 3, 2023. During this virtual event, a panel of ten diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders from academia and industry address the complexities of integrating DEI in professional and academic settings. Panelists discuss the backlash to DEI and explore its accompanying causes, such as hyper-politicization, resource constraints, and fear. The participants provide strategies for implementing DEI effectively in both professional and educational settings, advocating for comprehensive approaches that integrate it into organizational values and teaching methods. The discussions highlight the importance of strategic planning, open conversations, and inclusive decision-making to overcome biases, encourage critical thinking, and build empathy. The Colloquium concludes with a Q&A session that delves into strategies to facilitate meaningful and honest conversations about DEI issues.