“Leveraging diversity and maximizing productivity:” Discourses of interest convergence in marine and climate science institutions

• In Event: Reimaging Environmental Learning for Justice and Equity

Abstract

Marine and climate sciences (MCS) faces a persistent lack of racial diversity in the United States, despite the global urgency to address climate change. This study examines how racism and racial equity are discursively constructed and framed in six prominent MCS institutions’ documents and local news media from 2004 to 2024. It finds that institutions use race neutral language and strategies of interest convergence when addressing issues of broadening participation. The researchers recommend that institutional leaders integrate equitable labor and educational practices beyond the discursive level to ensure that these practices cannot be easily dismantled during institutional and social change.

Authors

• Marisa Lally, Georgia Southern University

• Christina W. Yao, University of South Carolina

• Chrystal A. George Mwangi, George Mason University

• Vijay Kanagala, Salem State University

• Jennifer Michelle Johnson, Temple University

• Onjale Scott Price, George Mason University

• Eunjin Han, George Mason University