The Art of Storytelling: A Critical Analysis of Higher Education Information Technology Experiences

The 2021 EDUCAUSE QuickPoll on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), recently illuminated the fact that information technology professionals in higher education still face a number of challenges, particularly with respect to bias and discrimination. While 87% of poll respondents agreed that there is an increased awareness around DEI at their institution, there is also data that shows that perceptions of institutional DEI practices vary by race and ethnicity. This session is a critical analysis of the larger context of lived experiences centering the voices of underrepresented higher education professionals in the field of IT. We seek to humanize these experiences by shifting the focus to include narratives that go beyond technology and data. This session uses both quantitative and qualitative techniques to highlight often-silenced intersectional experiences that occupy IT spaces in higher education. These narratives cover different dimensions of diversity such as gender, race, mental/physical ability, and age. It is anticipated that the results of this analysis will provide context and a path forward in conjunction with the EDUCAUSE CIO commitment. This session will support the creation of an actionable plan for IT professionals and leaders to critically analyze and implement within their institutions.