Summa starts from Practorate Relational Work A study on diversity in education. The insights gained from the diversity of perspectives will be used to raise awareness of diversity, inclusion, and equality within the organization and to inform further policy development on these themes.

"To promote inclusion, we first need to understand what unites us as individuals and what hinders our connection," says Bennie Krol, action researcher at the Relational Work Practorate. "In this study, we're conducting in-depth interviews with students and staff across the organization to gain insight into different perspectives. We'll then examine which diversity aspects and experiences influence the degree to which an employee or student feels at home within Summa."

Participatory action research: together with involved colleagues across Summa

The Relational Working Practorate is gaining these new insights through participatory action research. This practice-based research is where initiating change is just as important as acquiring knowledge and insights. A key characteristic of this method is that stakeholders participate in the research, an approach the Practorate has also applied in previous research. "The strength of this research method is that we conduct it together with the colleagues involved in the topic," Bennie continues. "Together with teaching staff in various roles, spread across Summa. This ensures broad reach within the organization, fosters engagement with this research, and leads to many valuable and productive conversations about diversity and inclusion."

Following on from previous research

This research is part of the Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality (DIG) research line. Within this line of research, the Relational Work Practorate conducts research into social safety and inclusion in education and how to promote them. In this way, we are gradually working towards an organization where we learn to embrace differences and recognize what unites us as individuals.

"The action research within the DIG research line is primarily aimed at stimulating, facilitating, and optimizing the dialogue on diversity, inclusion, and equality," says Rinske Broekman, lecturer-researcher in diversity, inclusion, and equality at the Relational Working Practorate. "In this way, we support teams in engaging in dialogue, both among themselves and in the classroom. The insights gained from this research contribute to further improving awareness and dialogue on diversity, inclusion, and equality in education."

Would you like to contribute to this research by conducting a few interviews with students or colleagues? Or could you use some help with DIG issues in your team or at your location? Let us know by email: practoraatrelationeelwerken@summacollege.nl

Would you like to know more about the activities of the Relational Work Practorate? Go to this webpage.