Writing a Diversity Statement

What is a Diversity Statement and Why Does It Matter?

What is DEI? – DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Other associative terms for DEI are EDI (equality, diversity, and inclusion), DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging), EDIJ (equality, diversity, inclusion, and justice), and IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and access).

What is a DEI statement used for? – A DEI statement can be useful when communicating to associates, whether it be employers, students, or colleagues, the value you place on diversity, and how that informs your actions. According to research published by communications specialist Geraldine Hynes (2023), working groups with high diversity perform more successfully.

Why is it used and where? – DEI statements are increasingly used to articulate a clear commitment to including diverse experiences in forming thoughtful practices.

  • In K-12 and higher education, a DEI statement might accompany a CV and teaching statement to explain your thoughts on teaching a diverse student body.
  • Some governmental positions benefit from having a DEI statement included in job applications or mission statements. 
  • For potential business employers and colleagues, particularly those in human resources, a statement like this could demonstrate your values. Businesses themselves may also write DEI statements to inform their employees and customers about their social values. 
  • Even if a physical or digital DEI statement is not required for a position or job application, developing the language for such a statement can be useful in discussing your perspective on creating a more just society.

Some Things to Consider

  • What is your understanding of diversity and inclusion?
  • How have your experiences shaped these values?
  • What kind of language are you using to describe your values?
  • How do those values play out in your actions? What do you do to create an inclusive environment?
  • How will this statement impact your reader or those affected by this statement?

How to Craft Your Own

DRAFT

  • A good place to start is by telling your reader something about yourself that can relate to the values you are about to discuss.
  • Write about how your values manifest themselves in your intentions and actions (in the classroom, in the lab, among colleagues, in your research, etc.). How have your values been influenced by your identities and experiences or your interactions with others’ unique identities and experiences?
  • Link your values to those of the institution you are writing about. (For example, if this is for a university teaching application, what does the university write in their aspirations about DEI? If your statement is for a syllabus, what does your current institution say about inclusivity?)
  • Having examples of how you have implemented inclusive and equitable strategies is a good idea here too. It offers tangible proof that you are indeed successfully employing such strategies.

REFINE

  • Is there a prompt for this statement? Many institutions that require DEI statements have specific questions they want answered. Be sure to include your answers in your statement.
  • After you have a rough draft, go over it again. What is the purpose of your story here? Do you think that purpose is coming across to your reader? Is your point clear? Feel free to ask a trusted peer or writing center to look over your statement.
  • Be careful not to make this sound too much like self-praise. Equity and diversity are a process (we can’t create a just society overnight). This statement is meant as a checkpoint in the journey towards equity. It’s a good thing to include plans or areas of improvement.
  • Be aware of language use. Be sure that population descriptors are absolutely necessary. (For example, does the race of the population you have interacted with matter here? Does the economic class? If so, leave the descriptors in. If not, it may be best to omit them.)

Further Resources and References

Beck, Sara L. 2018. “Developing and Writing a Diversity Statement.” Retrieved Feb. 13, 2024. (https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/developing-and-writing-a-diversity-statement/).

Crawford, Dana. 2017. “Figure 2.” From Culture-based Countertransference. Retrieved February 15th, 2024. (https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Model-of-Cultural-Identity_fig2_315497041).

Hynes, Geraldine E. 2023. Interpersonal Communication in the Diverse Workplace: Get along, Get It Done, Get Ahead. New York, New York: Routledge.

Reyes, Victoria. 2018. “Demystifying the Diversity Statement.” Retrieved Feb. 13, 2024. (https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2018/01/25/how-write-effective-diversity-statement-job-candidate-opinion).

The University of Chicago. No date. “GRAD Guide to Diversity Statements.” Retrieved Feb. 13, 2024. (https://grad.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Guide-to-Diversity-Statements.pdf).