Understanding faculty perceptions and experiences related to climate, diversity, equity, and inclusion at a college of pharmacy: A pilot study

Abstract

IntroductionA climate survey was piloted to obtain an understanding of the perceptions and personal experiences of faculty for intentional planning of future meaningful, effective, and sustainable diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts at a college of pharmacy. MethodsA 48-item, four section, online survey was developed and administered to 69 faculty between October and November 2021. Likert-like five-point scales and free-text items were included to determine an overall assessment of climate, as well as perceptions and/or personal experiences for each domain of DEI, and demographics. ResultsThirty-nine (57%) faculty completed the survey. For climate, every attribute had at least one respondent that observed someone make an insensitive or disparaging remark “rarely,” “occasionally,” and “frequently.” The response pattern was similar for personal experience with insensitive remarks. For participation in diversity activities, “awareness without participation” was selected by 56% of respondents. For perceptions of diversity, “fairly” or “very” was selected by 38% to 54% of respondents. For equity, “attainable for some” to “not attainable” was identified for 15% to 26% of respondents. ConclusionsThese pilot climate survey results inform climate improvement as it relates to DEI and informs survey instrument refinement.