Mapping Viewpoint Diversity Discourse Around Higher Education: From Matters of Fact to Matters of Concern

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Saturday 1:45 pm
  In Poster Session: Division G: Section 4-Policies, Mattering, and Praxis Poster Session

Abstract

Despite growing concerns over lack of viewpoint diversity on college campuses, there is little consensus on what viewpoint diversity entails and its current discourse has attracted very limited scholarly attention. The goal of this project is to explore and map divergent meanings, actors, and agendas around viewpoint diversity. Using a sociology of knowledge approach to discourse and tools from situational analysis, and grounded in post-structuralism, this research interrogates viewpoint diversity discourse as a matter of concern. The findings from this research show that beyond a mere scapegoat to recruit conservative faculty on college campuses, the power in mobilization of viewpoint diversity lies in its capacity to mobilize incommensurate social worlds to support a seemingly transparent matter of fact.

Author

• Milad Mohebali, University of Nebraska - Lincoln