A Paradigm of Practicable Equity and Inclusion: Heeding the Call to Shift Both Mindsets and Methods

Abstract

“You’re blind, so I advise you to choose history as your major.” The American Chemical Society and our home institutions have established Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) as core values. “You’re blind. Just sit in the corner and take notes as the other students dictate their observations to you.” But how do we operationalize this call both to implement our DEIR values and at the same time challenge our own assumptions about the differently abled? “I can’t imagine being a chemistry major if you can’t see the color changes!” This commentary describes my journey to better embed DEIR values into my work as a chemist and educator, and hopefully it will be useful to you as you wrestle with similar topics. “You want to be a chemistry major? Have I got an undergraduate research project for you!” The journey begins with a simple yes answer and proceeds through a challenge to underscore an enthusiasm for DEIR practices with a more distinct theoretical foundation that undergirds our DEIR-focused work. This requires expanding our toolkit in the basics of quality teaching with an emphasis on positive student learning outcomes and experiences, all geared toward greater representation and broader participation in the chemical enterprise. Importantly, this also requires a change in perspective─a new paradigm in which DEIR objectives inform the very structure of our educational system. In summary, this commentary recounts the resources that allowed me to change my educational paradigm, many of which came from outside the world of chemistry.