There’s been a lot of talk in the media about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, but what does DEI actually mean? Why do so many people seem to misunderstand its intent? In recent years, many companies moved quickly to implement DEI programs that addressed inequities in recruitment and hiring practices, mentorship, and other opportunities. But just as quickly, backlash arose to these policies. In this episode, Carol and Jeevan speak to Dr. Camellia Bryan, an assistant professor at the UBC Sauder School of Business, about the importance of DEI and how backlash can actually be a sign that real progress is being made.

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE

• Contact Carol
• Contact Jeevan
• From Here Forward
• Beyond Backlash: Advancing Dominant-Group Employees’ Learning, Allyship, and Growth Through Social Identity Threat
• About Dr. Camellia Bryan
• Contact Dr. Bryan

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:28) - What is DEI and Who Does it Include?
• (03:32) - What DEI Initiatives Look Like in Practice
• (06:08) - Why DEI Backlash Doesn’t Mean Failure
• (07:44) - Who is DEI for?
• (09:44) - Biases in Hiring and the “Qualified” Debate
• (11:27) - Rise of DEI Post-2020 and the George Floyd Effect
• (13:26) - The Business Case for DEI and Risks of Scaling Back
• (15:25) - Populism, Politics, and DEI as a Cultural Flashpoint
• (16:42) - How to Start DEI Dialogues at Work
• (19:35) - Common Questions and Misconceptions
• (21:29) - Conclusion