Quantitative Projects for Inclusion and Diversity

In today's globalised world, fostering inclusive and equitable cultures in workplaces and educational institutions is more critical than ever. The Australian National University (ANU) recognises the significance of creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is committed to becoming a national leader in this area. This course examines the latest research on institutional equity, diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI), enabling students to develop transdisciplinary problem-solving skills to address the remaining barriers. The course draws on sociological concepts of gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, social closure and intersectionality, which serve as the foundation for student collaborative research. Additionally, students develop skills to use and critically assess quantitative methods used to generate EDI data. Two distinct streams are available: the beginner stream and the application stream for students with prior exposure to computational and statistical methods. The main objective of this course is to enable participants to learn, share, consolidate and apply a range of EDI theories and quantitative methodologies used by social scientists and data scientists, including the use of appropriate software. The unit adopts a student-centred approach, with teaching and learning centred around a research project designed and completed individually or in teams throughout the course. By the end of the semester, students will have acquired the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to advance EDI practices in diverse institutional settings.