Data Use and Equity in Postsecondary Institutions: Faculty and Administrators' Collaborative Sense-Making in Context

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: With and About Higher Education Stakeholders

Abstract

Studies show that institutional practices grounded in data are associated with improved student outcomes (Engle, 2016). Regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion specifically, engagement with data can help institutions to improve the climate for diversity on their campuses, and may point to actual gains in equity outcomes (Dowd & Bensimon, 2015). Despite these benefits, our understanding of how data-use works in postsecondary institutions is still developing. This paper reports on 28 in-depth, semistructured interviews with faculty and administrators from four different institutions, focused on participants’ experiences working with data in institutional equity efforts. Drawing on critical race theory and critical qualitative research frameworks, findings highlight the sociocultural context informing participants’ sense-making and use of data in efforts to improve equity.

Authors

• Mary Ziskin, University of Dayton

• Pamela R Young, University of Dayton