Exploring perspectives on culturally inclusive practice: Institutional emphasis of diversity, inclusive coursework, and student gains

Abstract

In the last few decades, diversity, inclusion, and equity goals have proliferated across institutions in the US, and decades of research point to the benefits of culturally inclusive content and pedagogy on student outcomes. Despite these findings, it is not sufficient simply to know if students are exposed to these experiences; rather, we must understand how students interpret and perceive them as they relate to the institution�s commitment to inclusion. Using data from undergraduates and faculty in a large-scale, multi-institution quantitative study, this paper presents findings regarding the ways students engage in culturally inclusive content and pedagogy, faculty practices for inclusivity, and how these influence students' educational gains and perceptions of institutional commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity goals.