Resistance to Diversity
As four students work on a group project, they discuss topics of diversity and unexamined bias, topics that they had recently covered in lecture. The four characters' different positioning is explored, particularly in how social interventions are received by both majority and under-represented students. The goal of this case study is to reach participants who are on the fence about diversity and inclusion efforts and engage them in a more in-depth and nuanced cultural probe.
In past facilitations of the Resistance to Diversity case study:
88% of engineers who participated reported that their understanding of bias, microaggressions, meritocracy, and color blindness were enhanced;
86% indicated that the case study helped them to see what strategies they could use to support diversity and inclusion in their department or institution; and
94% said they had an increased understanding of their peers.
Greg and Sara
Greg, an African American mechanical engineer, and Sara, a white female civil engineer, discuss what it is like to work on group projects. Greg and Sara share how they struggle to be heard in groups where they are the only underrepresented group member. The goal of this case study is to show how exclusionary practices in engineering operate and how those targeted by such practices are affected.
LGBTQIA Perspectives
Two friends, Jack who is gay and Emma who is lesbian, discuss their grievances and struggles when it comes to how their peers interact with them because of their queer identities. The goal of this case study is to foster understanding about the ways in which homophobia isolates individuals and challenges the belief that the LGBTQ community is homogeneous.
Lipstick
Sarah, a woman in electrical engineering, is the only female in her group for a class project. While she has the same amount of experience as her male peers, they discount her opinions, abilities and contributions. The goal of this case is to illuminate how women in engineering are often presumed incompetent and excluded from fully participating in engineering work regardless of ability or experience.