Equity and Inclusion Considerations in the Work of Academic Governance

This paper describes the framework for a workshop on the role of equity and inclusion in the work of academic governance.The goals of the workshop were for participants to understand the role of social justice and equity in creating policy, recognize how academic governance groups may inadvertently create inequities, and identify ways to foster inclusivity within academic governance.The workshop included research on how unconscious bias affects equity and inclusion in academic policy and governance such as teaching evaluations and letters of recommendation that play a role in faculty evaluation and promotion, as well as who participates in academic governance and in how voices are recognized and heard in the decision-making process.The workshop described strategies for minimizing equity issues and promoting inclusion, using case studies to promote discussion and skill development.Workshop content and case studies can be used to promote equity and inclusion with students involved in group work and/or student clubs.Evaluation results and lessons learned from the workshop suggest ways in which future workshops will be improved.