Dear network from the DEI community,
I would also like to share that in 2026 I will be co-convening a track for the European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference, together with Jasmin Mahadevan and Eddy Ng.
Our track, T05_04 – Responsible DEI when facing disruption: What (not) to preach, and how to practice it?, welcomes conceptual, methodological, and empirical contributions that reflect on the future of DEI scholarship. Our track is part of
SIG 05 (GRDO - Gender, Race and Diversity in Organizations).
In times marked by disruption, polarisation, and growing anti-DEI backlash, the need for rigorous, responsible research and practice on diversity, equity/equality, and inclusion is more urgent than ever. We invite submissions that go beyond the traditional "business case", engaging with it critically. We are especially interested in work that examines how scholars and practitioners can build solidarity across differences while remaining attentive to their own positionalities, biases, and blind spots.
If your research addresses systemic inequalities, intersecting privileges and disadvantages, or the ethics of practicing DEI under conditions of uncertainty and upheaval, we would be glad to receive your submission.
�� Submission deadline: 7 January 2025 (2 pm Belgian time)
Text of the full call, with all three convenors' contacts, is at the end of this email.
Assistant Professor / Ricercatrice di Tipo A
Department of Economics and Business Management Sciences
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Via Necchi 7 (Milan, Italy) - A301
T05_04 - Responsible DEI when facing disruption: What (not) to preach, and how to practice it?
Proponents:
Jasmin Mahadevan, Hochschule Pforzheim; Eddy Ng, Queen's University; Daniela Aliberti, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Milano)
Short description:
For diversity, equality/equity and inclusion (DEI), today's times are disruptive and disorientating: Much is at stake, yet, anti-DEI closure mechanisms seem to multiply. An understandable reaction is to firmly position DEI against closure. Yet, given the multifaceted nature of contemporary DEI- challenges, we ask: How can DEI-scholars be certain to be 'on the right side', but nonetheless mobilize multiple solidarities? What do DEI-scholars need to reflect upon, and how can DEI-practice be critical, yet responsibly-inclusive, when facing disruption? We invite conceptual, methodological and empirical contributions.
This track is associated with a Special issue of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal.
Long description:
For diversity, equality/equity and inclusion (DEI), today's times are disruptive and disorientating: There seems to be a growing need for responsible DEI-research and practice, yet, anti-DEI movements and closure mechanisms continue to spread globally.
An understandable reaction against anti-DEI dynamics is to firmly position oneself in terms of 'right' and 'wrong' so that a presumably 'right DEI-cause' can be fought. However, there are dangers associated with a categorical DEI-theory and practice that operates within broad dichotomies, creating 'gospel' that 'sanctifies' some and 'villainizes' others. No position is ever fully innocent, and determining what is 'right' or 'wrong'-or who should be promoted over whom-is rarely straightforward when multiple privileges and disadvantages intersect to shape situations that are also highly politicized and discursively laden. But what if DEI gets it wrong? And how can one avoid falling into polarization?
At the same time, diversity relativism has its limits: Inclusion and exclusion are often systemic, and those historically privileged are rarely the ones currently disadvantaged. Which interests should DEI promote? And how can DEI become more than mere business?
The future of DEI depends on mobilizing and organizing solidarity across differences and on engaging multiple stakeholders and interest groups. To achieve this, DEI-scholars and practitioners need to balance contradictory requirements: They need to believe in their ability to identify, promote and contribute to the right cause from a norm-critical perspective. Yet, they also need to reflect upon how their own privileges, standpoints and lived experiences promote certain normalized logics and 'blind spots', and to move beyond these selective normalities. They need to move beyond polarization and mere business case rationales. However, they cannot avoid positioning themselves and taking action, and they will need to develop an ethical compass to guide them and others through.
Thus, we ask: what (not) to preach, and how can one practice DEI responsibly? Which DEI standpoints do more good than harm (and vice versa); Whom should DEI scholars and practitioners engage - or deliberately avoid - and which interests should DEI (not) promote? We invite conceptual, methodological and empirical contributions that shed light on contemporary DEI-challenges, and the responsibilities of navigating them in theory and practice, particularly in times of disruption and polarization. Interpretive, deconstructive and critical approaches are welcome.
This track is associated with a Special Issue in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal
Keywords:
- Diversity
- Equity/equality
- Inclusion
- Reflexivity
- Responsibility
- Solidarity
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people; Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Publication Outlet:
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion - an International Journal (proponent 2 is editor-in-chief)
- Book publication, e.g. Sage, Springer, Routledge, E.Elgar (proponents have published there)
For more information contact: Jasmin Mahadevan, Hochschule Pforzheim, jm.hspf@gmail.com
Assistant Professor / Ricercatrice di Tipo A
Department of Economics and Business Management Sciences
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Via Necchi 7 (Milan, Italy) - A301
Call for conferences I am co-convening:
Recent publications: