Shattering the Glass Door: Intersectionality, Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality in Higher Education

Discrimination based on gender, race/ethnicity, and sexuality manifests differently across the globe. However, the marginalization of ethnic and racial minorities, especially women and LGBTI+ individuals, in higher education and research performing organizations is a pervasive issue in both the Global North and the Global South. This section explores the intersection of race/ethnicity, gender, and sexuality and their impact on access, career progress, representation, and inclusivity within higher education and research performing organizations. By analyzing public policy, we aim to shed light on the challenges faced by ethnic minority students, personnel, and faculty, and emphasize the importance of dismantling structural and institutional barriers, fostering supportive environments, and implementing inclusive policies. We invite submissions on the following topics (or related topics): 1. Intersectionality: Utilize an intersectional framework to understand the interconnectedness of race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and other systems of discrimination. Examine unique challenges and barriers faced by ethnic minority students, personnel, and faculty, with a particular focus on women and/or LGBT people in higher education and research performing organizations. 2. Access and Opportunity: Explore the structural barriers, including those embedded in state and institutional policies, that impede the access of ethnic minority students, personnel, and faculty to higher education and research performing organizations. Discuss the contributions of historical disadvantages, systemic racism, migration laws, educational and research policies, institutional racism, everyday discrimination, and stereotypes and societal expectations contribute to disparities in enrollment rates, college preparation, and financial support. Examine or propose public policies such as affirmative action, anti-discrimination policies, targeted scholarships, and mentorship programs that can address these barriers. 3. Representation, Knowledge production, and Inclusivity: Highlight the importance of representation in higher education, both among faculty and student populations. Discuss the lack of acknowledgment of the contributions of ethnic minorities to knowledge production and the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in academic leadership positions, and their impacts on student and faculty experiences. Explore policies and initiatives that can foster diverse representation, such as inclusive hiring practices, diverse curriculum development, and the creation of support networks. 4. Campus Climate and Support: Examine the experiences of ethnic minority students, personnel, and faculty on campus, particularly women and LGBT people, focusing on issues related to racial and gender discrimination, curriculum, microaggressions, and cultural insensitivity. Discuss the significance of creating inclusive campus environments through policies that promote diversity and address biases. Highlight the role of cultural centers, formal and informal networks, inclusive pedagogical practices, and partnerships with civil society in fostering a sense of belonging and support for ethnic minority students, personnel, and faculty. 5. Anti-discrimination and Intersectional Approaches in Public Policy: Explore how public policies can be designed to address the specific needs and challenges faced by ethnic minority students, personnel, and faculty, particularly women and LGBT, acknowledging the intersectionality of gender, race, and sexuality. Discuss the importance of collaboration between policymakers, educational institutions, and communities to develop policies that are responsive to the diverse experiences of ethnic minority students, personnel, and faculty. Analyze current public policies (design and implementation). Highlight successful examples of intersectional policy frameworks from different regions of the world.