How could the Library and Information Studies curriculum better prepare graduates to address equity, diversity and inclusion issues in their workplace?

Abstract

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practices in the library and information professions can be linked to the curriculum of the professional qualification, which plays an important role in preparing students for practice. The aim of this small, non-generalisable survey of recent graduates at one UK library school, a collaboration between two academic staff and two current and recent students, was to identify how the curriculum could better prepare graduates to address EDI issues in their workplace. Approaches for cultivating effective pedagogical strategies included the importance of recognising and exploring personal identity; group work and community building and embedding an EDI ethos, approach and method within the curriculum. Important gaps relating to the preparation of students for EDI practices that were noted included management and leadership; fostering learner positionality and addressing the broad scope of EDI work including all protected and other characteristics, alongside tensions between individual and structural approaches to change.