A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis of Anti-DEI Sentiment From College Students

• In Event: Navigating Racialized and Gendered Spaces: Critical Insights on Race and Gender in Higher Education

Abstract

Using data from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), this study explores how anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) sentiment manifests in student comment data. Using Foucauldian Discourse Analysis, the research examines 2038 responses from 25 institutions, focusing on 108 comments related to DEI. The findings reveal that students often use code words and distancing strategies to express anti-DEI views, positioning themselves as objective knowers. This discourse suggests a perceived exclusion from DEI efforts, and implications for higher education institutions are discussed.

Author

• Antonia Bacigalupa Albaum, Indiana University