This week's videos discuss the connections between diversity, inclusion, and creativity in the workplace. This is an issue that will connect to your career no matter what major or field you are pursuing.

What is diversity?

What does "diversity" mean in the context of the modern workplace, and why do so many workplaces care so much about it?

Professional diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in Madison, WI

Here is a Wisconsin Public Television segment on diversity and inclusion in local Madison employers, produced as part of the weekly Here and Now series, on campus at Vilas Hall. (If you are looking for an engaging way to keep up with local news each week, check out the WPT Here and Now web stream.)

Diversity, equity, and inclusion issues here on campus

At UW-Madison, diversity and inclusion are important to our workplace, too. Here are some brief videos that demonstrate the issue for students.

The first video, "UW Voices" (5 min.), was produced in 2015 by UW-Madison senior Christian Inouye with assistance from senior Christian Wilson. (Note that this was at the start of the Black Lives Matter movement which began around 2013 and continues today.)

Two years later, issues of diversity and inclusion at UW-Madison were still making the news. Here is a 3-min. local news report from 2017 on the results of the first diversity and inclusion survey of all UW-Madison students. The results showed that we have much work to do. NOTE: The video looks like it's unavailable, but it will open in a new tab if you click it.

Unfortunately, as recently as 2019, the university was still making headlines for inadequate representation: a promotional video for homecoming featured only white students. Next is a 1 min. video from a new student group named the Student Inclusion Coalition, who responded to the 2019 homecoming video with a video of their own, which I think makes a powerful statement. (I had the privilege of teaching one featured student, Bella Soba, back in 2016.)

Finally, L&S alumni recommendations on issues of diversity and inclusion (6 minutes):

Taking issues of diversity and inclusion seriously is crucial if UW-Madison wants to remain a leading and relevant global research university. And it is the right thing to do for all of the diverse Badgers who call our campus their home.