Catalyzing Inclusivity in Higher Education and Beyond: Insights from Action-Orientated Allyship Workshops

Action-orientated allyship can play a pivotal role in higher education. This paper outlines the objectives and outcomes of allyship three workshops a) Faculty Allies, b) STEM Allies: Ambassadors for Change for students, and c) Allyship Think Tank for stakeholders of partnering non-profit organization for women. It was hypothesized that participating stakeholders recognize their own privileges and biases and evaluate their role-based power to effect organizational change. The paper provides details of implementation of each workshop including specific goals and learning outcomes, recruitment strategies, demographics of participants, and their feedback on workshop environment, aspects, and implementation strategy. The objectives of the workshops were designed to a) apply outcome-based principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, b) reflect on one’s identities and power to change, c) characterize cognitive biases, d) articulate various roles of allies, and e) practice intervention skills and strategies. The active learning based pedagogical approach of the workshops involved group discussion, role plays, self-reflection, and dialogue in a safe environment allowing participants to share and learn from each other’s lived experiences and perspectives. Quantitative and qualitative assessment suggested that the participants found the workshop, its facilitation and environment, and overall content to be remarkably effective. The paper also discusses strategies to use the research and advocacy conducted by Think Tanks to inform the content and structure of workshops, thereby, creating a feedback loop to ensure the workshop curriculum represent the most current and comprehensive understanding of allyship.