Overview
DEIBlueprint is a multi-campus program at the University of California aimed at fostering healthy academic department climates by creating an easy-to-use process - a blueprint! - that sets departments up for success in assessing and addressing issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. As unique microcosms within larger university structures, departments play a significant role in building and maintaining a healthy climate.
DEIBlueprint seeks to make academic departments more inclusive for all by providing a step-by-step approach that includes a customizable climate survey “question bank” assessment tool to identify climate issues, a standardized “toolkit” to help departments appropriately implement solutions to identified challenges, and dedicated consultation, coaching and guidance throughout the partnership.
The DEIBlueprint Approach
When engaging in DEIBlueprint, an academic unit will be guided through a six-stage approach. Below is a brief overview of each stage.
For more information, please email: deiblueprint@berkeley.edu.
Stage 1: Understanding the Context
It is important to set a strong foundation and understand the context of the work in which you and your department are about to engage. A strong foundation and context provide clarity and purpose. A purpose for which you may return for inspiration or need to be reminded of from time to time as you engage in this nonlinear approach and culture change project. By engaging in Stage 1, you are already taking steps towards fostering a healthy climate.
Stage 2: Designing and Beginning Your Journey
Stage 2 of this approach is intended to help you organize your core team, identify champions, get on the same page regarding standards for professional relationships, solidify structures, communicate with your community clearly and frequently, and engage your constituents at all levels.
Stage 3: Developing the DEIBlueprint Climate Survey
Stage 3 is designed to understand the needs of the department through the lens of the chair and committee members, prepares you to get grounded in the strengths of the department and the data you already have, and think about what other information you may want to collect before guiding you through the creation of your departmental DEIBlueprint Climate Survey. The Climate Survey is a call to action to department members signifying a healthy climate for all is a priority and an opportunity to engage and impact next steps for the department.
Stage 4: Making Meaning of the Data
Stage 4 is focused on interpreting the results of the Climate Survey and making meaning of this data. You are building upon the strengths and opportunities of the department, recognizing the experience of department members, identifying themes in the data, filling in any knowledge gaps and beginning to explore strategies and solutions to address the themes discovered in the data.
Stage 5: Establishing a Plan and Using the Toolkit
Stage 5 puts what you have explored into practice establishing a one-page plan for how your department will foster a healthy academic climate, using resources and interventions from the Toolkit and taking the first steps of implementing immediate actions. The one-page plan you will create is a work in progress; it is a living, breathing document. Focus on putting the main ideas on paper and into action instead of worrying about a completed, final plan.
Stage 6: Evaluating and Adjusting
Part 6 emphasizes the importance of checking in at various scheduled and non-scheduled points in the process to evaluate how things are going and adjust as needed. You may get stuck or get derailed; use this time to evaluate and adjust. The Climate Survey gives you an opportunity to evaluate the results of your plan and actions. Don’t forget to celebrate your achievements along the way!