Diversity in Human Resource Development and Continuing Professional Education: What Does It Mean for the Workforce, Clients, and Professionals?

The problem and the solution.Despite the magnitude of the ethical, legal, economic, social, and political dimensions that define diversity initiatives in the workplace, the fields of human resource development and continuing professional education have yet to develop an integrated vision for creating more inclusive work environments. This article explores the differing impulses, goals, and objectives underlying diversity programming and research aimed at various stakeholders—scholars, program developers, and customer/client groups. Mechanisms and strategies for fostering diversity in the workplace and for building epistemological inclusiveness through applied research across both applied fields are included.