How can we support equality, diversity and inclusion?
At this year’s DEWIS diversity symposium 2019 Professor Roni Reiter-Palmon of the University of Nebraska discussed the effects of diversity on team creativity and the role of inclusive leadership. Dr. Caroline Dessent from York University presented highlights from the department’s work to support women in science.
Research suggests that diversity of team members may be helpful to creativity, but can also interfere with effective team functioning, thus hindering creativity. The role of the leader in facilitating effective team functioning, especially with diverse and creative teams, is essential. According to Roni, more diverse information and knowledge is available in such teams, but it can be more difficult to communicate with each other and to trust each other. Leaders of teams where people differ from each other, should therefore create an atmosphere in which people dare to speak out. As a leader you can make a difference by having your team reflect and evaluate from time to time. Leaders facilitate inclusivity though creating a culture of openness and communication, engaging all members, facilitating a culture of collaboration and providing support.
Dr. Caroline Dessent from York University presented the work they do more generally to support equality, diversity and inclusion in her department. Caroline: ‘Good policies like flexible working assurance, different promotion procedures and career paths were we value quality over quantity, better recruitment procedures to tackle unconscious biases with an observer scheme benefit everyone.’
The department of Chemistry at the University of York has developed active programs to support the careers of women in science since the beginning of the new millennium. These activities led to the department being awarded three Athena Swan Gold awards in 2007, 2011 and 2015. These awards recognize ‘significant and sustained progression and achievement in promoting gender equality’ in the department.
