Inclusion, equity and diversity in contemporary universities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62452/vpsa3b49Palavras-chave:
Educational inclusion, equity, diversity, higher education, inclusive policies, social justiceResumo
This article analyzes inclusion, equity, and diversity as fundamental pillars for the transformation of higher education in the contemporary context. Their importance lies in the fact that these dimensions not only respond to principles of social justice but also strengthen educational quality, innovation, and the formation of citizens capable of thriving in diverse societies. The study aimed to examine how higher education institutions implement inclusive access policies and support programs for historically marginalized populations, as well as to analyze the representation of diversity in key areas such as teaching, research, and university leadership, considering factors such as gender, socioeconomic background, disability, and cultural diversity. Methodologically, a descriptive-analytical qualitative approach is employed, based on a systematic review of recent academic literature (2021–2026). The analysis is conducted using content analysis, thematic categorization, and comparative studies, allowing for the identification of trends, best practices, and common challenges across different contexts. Among the main findings, it is evident that, although there has been progress in inclusive policies, gaps persist in representation and equitable participation. It is also highlighted that inclusion must go beyond access, incorporating strategies that ensure retention and academic success. Finally, significant challenges are identified, such as institutional resistance, the difficulty in evaluating the impact of policies, and the sustainability of programs, which require a structural and ongoing commitment.
Downloads
Referências
Auerbach, J., & Wilcox, C. (2025). Empowering students to assess the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus. Journal of Statistics and Data Science Education, 33(3), 313–323. https://doi.org/10.1080/26939169.2025.2475768
Casimiro-Urcos, C. N., Tobalino-López, D., Pareja-Pérez, L. B., Vegas-Palomino, E. M., Sanabria-Boudri, F. M., & Orosco-Naveros, A. B. (2025). Actitud docente e inclusión educativa: Una mirada desde la primera infancia. Sophia Editions.
Chicas-Mosier, A. M., Fogelman, K. J., & Peretz, T. H. (2023). Can higher education transition to serve diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion missions without sacrificing fiscal standing? Higher Education Politics and Economics, 9(1), 2–25. https://doi.org/10.32674/hepe.v9i1.5003
Clayton, T. B. (2021). Refocusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion during the pandemic and beyond: Lessons from a community of practice. Higher Ed Today. https://www.higheredtoday.org/2021/01/13/refocusing-diversity-equity-inclusion-pandemic-beyond-lessons-community-practice/
Colón-Aguirre, M., & Bright, K. (2022, May 24). Incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into research. Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, 63(3). https://doi.org/10.3138/jelis-2021-0013
Corsino, L., & Fuller, A. T. (2021). Educating for diversity, equity, and inclusion: A review of commonly used educational approaches. Journal of clinical and translational science, 5(1), e169. https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2021.834
Fagun, O. (2025). The future of diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education in United States. Education, 1164–1175. https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.903SEDU0088
Fernandez, C. S. P., Taylor, M. M., Dave, G., Brandert, K., Larkin, S., Mollenkopf, K., & Corbie, G. (2023). Improving the equity landscape at U.S. academic institutions: 10 strategies to lead change. Equity in Education & Society, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/27526461231215084
Fox, M. F. J., Kandiko Howson, C., & Kingsbury, M. (2023). Equity, diversity, and inclusion – does social justice from the top trickle down? Journal of Further and Higher Education, 47(6), 850–861. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2023.2188178
Goodwin, C. M., & McKendree, R. B. (2024). Diversity, equity, and inclusion in natural science education: A review of literature. Natural Sciences Education, 53, e20142. https://doi.org/10.1002/nse2.20142
Hilton, J., Syed, N., Weiss, M. J., Tereshko, L., Marya, V., Marshall, K., Gatzunis, K., Russell, C., & Driscoll, N. (2021). Initiatives to Address Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Within a Higher Education ABA Department. Behavior and social issues, 30(1), 58–81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822-021-00082-y
Hollywood, N., & Quinn, K. (2025). DEI Research in Higher Education: Results from a Study at an American Minority-Serving Institution. Trends in Higher Education, 4(3), 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu4030049
Magnus, A. M., Coutin, S. B., & Leslie, F. (2024). Doing diversity work in higher education: Systemic inequality, institutional change, and campus attitudes. Equity in Education & Society, 3(3), 352-367. https://doi.org/10.1177/27526461231174625
Mistry, H., & Sánchez Gomez, M. C. (2026). Assessing universities' practices on student diversity and inclusion in higher education: The INSTADINE rubric. Open research Europe, 5, 263. https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.21129.2
Nunes, L. (2021). New directions for diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education: Higher education shifts gears in its approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Psychological Science. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/words-to-action
Ovink, S. M., & Murrell, O. G. (2022). University Diversity Projects and the Inclusivity Challenge. Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World, 8. https://doi.org/10.1177/23780231221136471
Ramdas, S., Wouters, A., Broeksma, L., van Zandwijk, E., Somra, S., Schoonmade, L. J., Slootman, M., Bertram-Troost, G., & Kusurkar, R. A. (2025). Teachers’ attitudes towards equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education: A scoping review. International Journal of Educational Research, 131, 102590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2025.102590
Tienda, M. (2013). Diversity ≠ Inclusion: Promoting Integration in Higher Education. Educational researcher (Washington, D.C.: 1972), 42(9), 467–475. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X13516164
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2023). Equity, inclusion and the transformation of higher education: Owing to a host of converging factors, higher education in Asia-Pacific requires increased attention to matters of equity in the post-pandemic era. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/equity-inclusion-and-transformation-higher-education
Wolbring, G., & Lillywhite, A. (2021). Equity/Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in Universities: The Case of Disabled People. Societies, 11(2), 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc11020049
Downloads
Publicado
Edição
Seção
Licença
Copyright (c) 2026 Parvin Houshyari (Autor/a)
Este trabalho está licenciado sob uma licença Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Os autores que publicam na Revista Metropolitana de Ciencias Aplicadas (REMCA), concordam com os seguintes termos:
1. Direitos autorais
Os autores mantêm direitos autorais irrestritos sobre suas obras. Os autores concedem ao periódico o direito de primeira publicação. Para tal, cedem à revista, em caráter não exclusivo, direitos de exploração (reprodução, distribuição, comunicação pública e transformação). Os autores podem firmar acordos adicionais para a distribuição não exclusiva da versão publicada do trabalho no periódico, desde que haja reconhecimento de sua publicação inicial nesta revista.
© Os autores.
2. Licença
Os trabalhos são publicados na revista sob a licença Creative Commons Atribuição-NãoComercial-CompartilhaIgual 4.0 Internacional (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). Os termos podem ser encontrados em: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Esta licença permite:
- Compartilhar: copiar e redistribuir o material em qualquer meio ou formato.
- Adaptar: remixar, transformar e desenvolver o material.
Nos seguintes termos:
- Atribuição: Você deve dar o crédito apropriado, fornecer um link para a licença e indicar se alguma alteração foi feita. Você pode fazer isso de qualquer maneira razoável, mas não de uma forma que sugira que o licenciante endossa ou patrocina seu uso.
- Não comercial: você não pode usar o material para fins comerciais.
- Compartilhamento pela mesma licença: se você remixar, transformar ou criar a partir do material, deverá distribuir sua criação sob a mesma licença do trabalho original.
Não há restrições adicionais. Você não pode aplicar termos legais ou medidas tecnológicas que restrinjam legalmente outros de fazerem qualquer coisa que a licença permita.
