A few years ago, I wrote about the Importance of Diversity in Tech. In general, I discussed how important it was to allow space for, and not dismiss, the contributions of underrepresented groups in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. I was mostly just sorting through some observations I have made reading various articles, listening to pertinent conversations, and my own personal experiences. 

Recently, I came across this great article that actually reviews the results from a study by the American Educational Research Association about the effect of diverse classrooms on underrepresented and first-generation college students. There were a few findings from this study discussed in this article that helped reinforce my perspective on the importance of diversity in STEM.

1. “The Role of Minoritized Student Representation in Promoting Achievement and Equity within College STEM Courses” paper has reported that students actually perform better academically in STEM courses when their classroom has a greater number of “underrepresented racial-minority (URM)” and “first-generation college students.
2. In general, all students benefit from an ethnically/racially and socioeconomically diverse classroom, and this benefit increases greatly for students “who are underrepresented racial minorities (URMs) and the first in their family to attend college.” In fact, the gap in grade-based academic achievement between URM and non-URM students decreased by 27 percent. For first-generation and continuing-generation students, the grade gap decreased by 56 percent in STEM courses where a greater number of first-generation students were present.
3. Nicholas Bowman, one of the researchers that contributed to the study stated that, “It is critical that colleges and universities redouble their efforts to create learning environments that have substantial diversity. This is especially true in the STEM fields, where there are long-existing equity gaps.”
4. Furthermore, Bowman stated that “Despite the presence of long-standing systemic inequities, policies that promote college access for URM and first-generation students can make a difference when it comes to improving learning outcomes.”

This study gives credence to the benefits of diversity that many advocates of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have been touting. However, these results appear right at a time where DEI efforts are getting explicit pushback from public figures like Elon Musk, and affirmative action in college admissions has been removed. So what should we do in the face of this backlash against DEI? Should we abandon it and replace it with the inequitable system of yore? Or should we enact it where we can until present systems are more equitable? 

To me the answer is obvious. DEI is essential and needs to be implemented at this point in our world’s history. If people researched or had been taught a comprehensive and accurate history, we would have a deeper and more clear understanding of why these efforts are necessary. I personally do not understand attempting to prop up an inequitable world that doesn’t run very well. A world where people are unable to participate and contribute within their abilities because they have an immutable identity or characteristic. A world where a small few dictate rules and regulations that negatively affect vulnerable populations because that small few believe they deserve to hoard wealth and resources because of a deep-seated, false belief in their inherent superiority. 

Not only does this study confirm what many of us have observed about the benefits of DEI and URM representation, but it also reminds us of how unsustainable systems based on exclusion and discrimination are. When people are forced out of the various forms of work and become impoverished, the economy and society suffer. 

My hope is that this study will help K-12 schools and colleges/universities implement initiatives that will promote equity in all educational fields, especially in STEM as technological skills and knowledge become increasingly ubiquitous.