a University of Alberta, Canada
Introduction: Post-secondary institutions must move beyond simply executing teaching and learning equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives to also understanding their impact. Impact frameworks can help clarify ‘what’ and ‘how’ change occurs over time. However, little is known about EDI-oriented impact frameworks and their use in higher education. A team of multidisciplinary faculty members developed an EDI Impact Framework to enable ‘impact by design’. Our occupational therapy (OT) department used it to map, prioritize and measure existing EDI initiatives in our program.
Objectives: To present the (1) Framework’s components and (2) process we used to apply the Framework within our OT program.
Approach: Our department participated in two half-day workshops led by the Framework’s lead developer. Participants were guided through group activities using the Framework to: discuss impact categories and identify/map current EDI initiatives, including requirements for success and targeted outcomes.
Results: 27 program-related EDI initiatives were identified and consolidated. The Framework helped us focus discussion, prioritize efforts, and consider how to evaluate impacts, as well as identify gaps or missed opportunities.
Conclusion: Use of this Impact Framework provoked our OT program to be reflexive, action-oriented and more receptive to the EDI needs of our students in order to offer them an educational experience in which they can flourish. This mapping exercise reinforced our commitment to EDI in all aspects of OT education with the aim of developing occupational therapists who are attentive and responsive to, and more representative of, the diversity of the persons and communities we serve.