Featured Roundtable - Why are equality, diversity, and inclusion policies important in the academy?

Abstract

This roundtable addresses the question of why equality, diversity and inclusivity (policies) are important in the academy. We will discuss issues at stake within the ECPR and the discipline of political science across Europe. The main aim is twofold. We would like to generate more awareness on, insights in, and knowledge about these topics, and take stock of possible policies and concrete actions for the ECPR as an organisation to develop. In the first part of the roundtable, Panellists will address these issues in a question-and-answer format. In the second part, the audience will also be given an opportunity to engage in the Q&A. The topics that will be covered are designed to be of interest to the ECPR delegates and the ECPR as an organisation and political science as a discipline of research and teaching. These include: what are the underlying problems and causes of inequality and a lack of diversity and of inclusivity. The roundtable will address issues such as the extent to which the problems are embedded in or particular to the discipline of political science, specific subfields, paradigmatic models, theoretical, conceptual or methodological approaches, or what organisational and institutional contexts are more vulnerable to a lack of equality, diversity and inclusivity. Finally, the panellists will be invited to advance possible solutions, discuss what or who needs to change, issues we should be particularly careful about when designing policies, and most pressing actions for the ECPR to develop.