Allyship, From the Viewpoint of Underrepresented-Minority Faculty: Testing the Impact on Motivation and Workplace Relatedness

• In Event: Faculty Development Practices to Improve Diversity and Inclusion

Abstract

Most allyship studies focus on perspectives of dominant groups regarding their actions as allies toward non-dominant groups. The current study examines the notions of allyship from the viewpoint of underrepresented minority, URM, faculty and its potential impact on their motivation to conduct research and their sense of relatedness within workplace. Analysis of data (N=184) collected from a 2023 online survey, indicated URM faculty experienced significantly low levels of allyship, and women with intersecting identities experienced the least allyship support. Furthermore, allyship is positively correlated with relatedness, and negatively with amotivation. By gaining an insight into the impact of allyship on URM populations, university administrators could implement effective strategies to achieve a more inclusive and equitable environment advocating for URM advancement.

Authors

• Mojdeh J Mardani, Dyson Institute

• Robert H. Stupnisky, University of North Dakota