Top 5 Action Plans To Improve Diversity In STEM Studies

Originally published on Content Architects

The case specifically discusses Top 5 Ways to improve diversity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Studies at Edith Cowan University (ECU), Australia.?

International Universities are to do more to promote on-campus diversity and inclusion. Today, it is one of the top criteria people evaluate within the higher education landscape.

Here are some of the Action Plans to foster diversity in STEM at ECU:??

1.?????? Predetermined, standard “STEM Batch” structure

There needs to be a standard structure for the batch of students to be inducted for STEM studies. Here we recommended a model with a predefined number of students in a batch based on a few factors affecting diversity and inclusion, for example, gender, socio-economic class, and national origin.

The model can be extended to cover a lot of other factors that have to do with diversity, such as language, ethnicity, sexual orientation, functional abilities, and age.

If approved and implemented well, ideally with the induction of batches thrice a year, the action plan has a huge potential to improve diversity in STEM at ECU.

2.?????? The Diversity Ambassadors

Once a batch is onboard in consonance with the action plan proposed above, a “Diversity Ambassador” shall be elected for a period of not less than one-third of the entire batch duration. For instance, batch duration is one year, and an elected representative shall continue to be a Diversity Ambassador for four months. Following this practice, two more candidates will get a chance to be elected as Diversity Ambassadors, each for four months. Consequently, there will be three Diversity Ambassadors in a batch of one year, six Diversity Ambassadors in a batch of two years, and so forth.? ?

The criteria for nominations are proposed to be based on equal opportunity for every person part of the batch, irrespective of gender, race, color, nationality, and all that.?

Role of the Diversity Ambassador: The ideal person elected as Diversity Ambassador shall be responsible for promoting diversity across ECU, especially in his/her STEM batch, by:

• Scheduling weekly or monthly get-togethers,
• Arranging events to celebrate diverse cultural festivals of every STEM batch student,
• Introducing inclusive language courses,
• Positioning ECU experts as thought leaders in national and international seminars on diversity,
• Joining policymakers in formulating diversity policies and SOPs, etc. ?? ?

3.?????? The Diversity Club

Establishing a dedicated “Diversity Club” or “Diversity Society” to be led by an elected Diversity Ambassador would help foster diversity more effectively. The Diversity Club would be a physical space/office to hold all diversity-related activities and events. Having a dedicated space for the promotion of equity, diversity, and inclusion would itself spread word of mouth and help inculcate a sense of inclusivity among STEM students of ECU.??

4.?????? Financial Assistance Programs? ?

A well-thought-out Financial Assistance Program is another action plan to foster diversity in STEM studies. The program shall be tailored to students coming from low socio-economic classes in remote parts of Australia and various underdeveloped regions of the world. Effective and efficient implementation of this action plan is definitely going to improve diversity in STEM. The proposed program will consist of a mix of public-sector, private-sector, and ECU Institutional Scholarships to be awarded based on both need and merit bases.???

5.?????? Inclusive Placement Programs ??

Another means to foster diversity and inclusion in STEM is the cultivation of ECU’s healthy industrial linkages with the corporate world. The proposed placement program is to be aimed at promoting equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all. When students from around the globe sense that STEM studies at ECU have bright employment opportunities, they will rush for STEM enrollment at ECU. Especially, ECU needs to tag it as an “Inclusive Placement Program” to grab diversity from different parts of the world.

What would success look like in 3 years?

With extended support from ECU, we are pretty sure the proposed action plans above, if approved by ECU management, would work in real time. Have a look at the following measures:

Action Plan 1 – For example: with a STEM batch of 21 students, we have:

11 females and 10 males (cannot exactly divide 21 into two halves).

• Of 11 females, 4 are low class, 4 middle class, and 3 high class. Likewise for the 10 males.???

7 Muslims, 7 Christians, and 7 Hindus.?

• 3 Muslims from underdeveloped, 2 from developing, and 2 from developed regions.??
• 3 Christians from underdeveloped, 2 from developing, and 2 from developed regions.
• 3 Hindus from underdeveloped, 2 from developing, and 2 from developed regions.? ?

Counting and comparing these measures against predefined numbers will yield a well-diversified class of STEM. ?

Action Plan 2 – Electing a Diversity Ambassador in a timely, fair, and transparent fashion will give us results. Next, with a better sense of responsibility on the part of the elected ambassador and again reelections on time are surely going to enhance diversity.

Action Plan 3 – If established as proposed, the STEM-enrolled students would get a better chance to visit the club, seek a membership card, and converse to raise voices on fostering diversity and inclusion. Everyone would feel honored to be part of the club for 3 years.

Action Plan 4 – Ideally, if the scholarship is awarded to every single STEM student, or at least to those from underdeveloped regions with low socio-economic class, it is going to work itself and the scholarship holders would attract the rest of the needy fellows among their circles. ??

Action Plan 5 – Employment is everyone’s ultimate desire! In 3 years’ time, this unique program tagged as the “Inclusive Placement Program” is going to work in case every single STEM alumnus gets a lucrative opportunity to work at a reputable organization. If implemented as planned, this is to grab huge diversity in ECU’s STEM program.

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