Seeking Equity Through Community: Academic Developers' Experiences Creating a Cross-Institutional Network

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 12:40 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Faculty Issues 1 (Table 18)

Abstract

This article describes the creation of a regional educational development network to address inequities in resources and support across institutions. Through interviews with academic developers building this collective, the study explores their experiences working within and beyond institutional structures. Results show the community validated members' frustrations and provided practical support from insiders facing similar challenges. The discussion analyzes how formalizing the network enabled leveraging the collective's assets to critique structures that constrain equity work. Beyond supporting individual members, the network aimed to transform inequitable intra- and inter-institutional practices impacting developers, faculty, and students. Formalizing the community facilitated more equitable development opportunities across the region.

Author

• Breana Bayraktar, George Mason University