The goal of this project is to provide a support community to departmental teams as they plan, implement and evaluate a cultural/systemic change initiative addressing intersectional gender equity in their departments. The experiences of FOLC-E participants will deepen understandings of resistance to, opportunities for, and power struggles associated with increasing STEM equity.
We welcome applications from STEM departments in any institution of higher education in the US committed to supporting a team to lead the department in a reform initiative addressing intersectional gender equity. More details on the selection criteria and application process can be found on the Home page.
We offer support for departments to engage in an intersectional gender equity project. We define this as the intersectionality of gender with ethnicity, race, class, ableism, sexual orientation, and gender expression. In practical terms, this means projects will be guided by an understanding that systems co-create sexism with other forms of oppression, and therefore must be dismantled systemically. Historically, gender equity initiatives have benefitted primarily white socioeconomically privileged women. Teams in the FOLC-E will be supported to understand and recognize this dynamic and to implement an initiative prioritizing those most excluded.
The entire FOLC-E will meet virtually approximately twice a month for two years. The first year the focus of the meetings will be on learning about intersectional equity and organizational change with a mix of expert guest speakers and time for the participants to share and reflect together. Additionally, teams will use the first year to evaluate the current state of their department, formulate ideas for departmental-level reform initiatives, and plan for a structural change to address intersectional equity. In the second year of the FOLC-E the focus will turn toward action. Meetings will be used to support and encourage teams as they implement their projects. In addition to the regular meetings, FOLC-E cohorts will have access to an asynchronous messaging system to communicate, share and support each other between meetings.
Each team participating in a FOLC-E will be assigned an administrative mentor to support them as they plan, implement and evaluate their reform project. Administrative mentors are experts in organizational change and have typically held administrative positions within their own universities (i.e. center directors, deans, department chairs, etc.). Mentors will be assigned to match the needs of each team. They will meet with the team regularly.
In January of 2024 teams from all 5 planned cohorts, in addition to project leadership and administrative mentors, will be invited to an in-person 2-day project summit (location to be determined). The main goal of the summit is to bring together project participants to share lessons learned and receive support for current struggles, and provide a visible national forum to highlight team efforts and elevate the collective profile of STEM equity work. During the summit, every team will be encouraged to present a poster showcasing their departmental-level change efforts (undertaken, planned or anticipated depending on their current status) with an emphasis on lessons learned and challenges faced. Participants teams will be provided partial funding to attend the summit.
Departments that send teams to participate in the FOLC-E will be supported in an effort to substantively address an equity issue deemed relevant by the team members. This includes support in learning about equity, planning an obtainable project with the potential for impactful change, troubleshooting the enviable challenges associated with cultural and structural changes, and evaluating impact. We will also support the team in disseminating the results of their project if it is desired.
A support community: The team will work in a facilitated community as they plan and implement their project. Participants will benefit from learning about the struggles and successes of other departments and will get ongoing feedback to overcome their own challenges.
Expert guidance: An expert in departmental level change (administrative mentor) will work individually with each team throughout their participation.
The FOLC-E will primarily be facilitated by Drs. Elliot and McGuire. You can read more about them and the entire project team on About Us page. Both facilitators have extensive experience in equity research and action as well as experience in departmental-level change. Guests with expertise relevant to the current challenges of the participants will regularly be brought in to provide additional support.
The experiences of the FOLC-E teams will generate many opportunities to deepen understandings of the challenges and opportunities associated with equity efforts. If you participate in the FOLC-E you will also have the opportunity to help generate valuable knowledge for others by participating in a research project. You will be offered a consent form prior to your participation in the FOLC-E to allow your data to be used for research purposes. Participating in the research is voluntary.
We offer an opportunity for applicant teams to meet with the project team on request. To set up a meeting, you can reach out to the project team at equityfolc@gmail.com. You are also welcome to send any additional questions to have to equityfolc@gmail.com.