The Racialization of DEI Scholarship: A Call for an Intersectional Approach

• In Event: Examining Diverse Perspectives in Policy

Abstract

This study analyzes the prevalence and focus of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in education scholarship, using a systematic review of articles from six prominent AERA journals published between January 2022 and June 2023. The authors utilize conceptual content analysis to examine how scholars publishing in prestigious education journals conceptualize DEI, capturing the frequency and context of social identities like race, gender, and class. Findings indicate a predominant emphasis on racial identity in DEI discussions, which may inadvertently perpetuate the oppressive systems equity initiatives aim to disrupt. The research underscores the need for an intersectional approach in DEI scholarship to effectively address multiple axes of oppression in educational settings.

Authors

• Benjamin Lebovitz, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Erin Gill, University of Pennsylvania

• Deonte E. Iverson, University of Wisconsin - Madison