Our research project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion modules given to students before coming to Miami University. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, we explored the opinions of first-year students based on their experience and thoughts while completing the modules. This study is relevant to all fields because diversity education is essential in all environments to sustain a positive, respectful, and productive workplace for all community members. After participants completed a survey answering questions regarding the value of the DEI modules, some then participated in interviews and study groups to help our institution better understand students’ thoughts. The discussions closed with the participants sharing their experiences and impressions of the modules. After completing the interviews, participants’ answers, comments, and inputs were transcribed and analyzed for themes and general patterns of experiences and thoughts regarding the diversity modules. For example, when questioning participants on a Likert scale from 0 to 4 about how beneficial the online DEI and bias modules were at teaching diversity importance, more than half of the participant pool answered between 0 and 2. Additionally, 78.7% of the participants said they had not used the methods shown in the modules in real life – meaning they were not realistic enough. Within our underlying themes, our research concluded that DEI modules need to be all-encompassing, cater to each specific environment, provide emotional resources, target a rightful audience, and implement relevant community input. With this information in mind, our next steps would be to encourage innovation of the current online DEI modules at Miami University.
Author: Santiago Rivera-Brogan (Psychology), Meher Khan (Psychology), Xenya Rai (Psychology), Bronwynn Graham (Public Health), and Manuela Crueger-Monterroso (Diplomacy and Global Politics)
Advisors: Joyce Fernandes, Office of Undergraduate Research, Carolyn Craig, College of Arts and Science, Abigail Morgan, University Libraries, Katie Gibson, University Libraries
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