The Iceberg effect: A framework to explore diversity, equality and inclusion in STEMM

Workplace diversity has long been viewed as a strategic issue, crucial to organizational success. Equality and inclusion are also vital ingredients for learners, employees and employers in the development of organizations that face complex business landscapes. Dimensions for understanding the concepts of diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) can broadly include surface factors such as race, gender identity and age, as well as covert factors like work experience, education and background. Value factors also feature for instance, individual differences – personality, attitudes, culture and religion (Jonsen, Maznevski & Schneider, 2011). It is therefore important to look beneath the tip of the iceberg to understand what is going on beneath the surface. In the context of this study, we focus on DEI in a higher education setting as a service provider and employer. We refer to Activity Theory (Engestrőm, 1987) as a potential framework for the conceptual analysis of DEI in this setting. This research aims to conceptually explore the identification of possible tensions and contradictions of DEI issues within a STEMM unit. By using this framework, we anticipate the insights yielded will assist in the creation of improved and novel opportunities for DEI in practice.