Plenary 2: Diversity and Inclusion: How Critical Are These Concepts in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity?

There is a growing awareness in the academe that our scholarship, research, and creative activities are not value-free. Yet the idea of informing our work with culturally inclusive principles is still controversial. Questions posed about this topic often include: 1) Won\u27t my work become politicized if I focus on cultural inclusion and equity? 2) Why is this relevant to me and the work that I do? My discipline has nothing to do with diversity issues. 3) Isn\u27t this just another thing to do when I am already over-worked? The Diversity Inclusion Research Institute (DIRI) is a BSC faculty-run initiative focusing on these issues. DIRI members from multiple disciplines will share their experiences and questions stemming from their own culturally inclusive scholarship and research work. Emphasis will be placed on discussion with participants regarding ways we can continue to examine this issue as a campus community