What does “belonging” actually look like in a workplace, and why do so many DEI efforts miss the mark?
In this episode, our host, Dr. Matt Lampe, is joined by Jaclyn Durant, a psychology student and ScienceForWork intern, to unpack the research behind diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. They explore the difference between meaningful and performative DEI, the science behind tokenism, and why a lack of follow-through creates distrust and burnout.
Tune in for a candid and insightful conversation rooted in evidence, lived experience, and practical recommendations.
Resources referenced:
Camargo (2023), Developing Strategies to Improve the Sense of Belonging and Mitigate Tokenism
Wang et al. (2024), Aligning Employee Health and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the workplace: A call for synchronization
Bui et al. (2019), The Resilient Organization: A Meta-Analysis of the effect of communication on team diversity and team performance
Key topics include:
What tokenism looks like in practice
How performative DEI undermines trust and mental health
Why DEI workshops, affinity groups, and leadership accountability matter
Actionable strategies for creating belonging
ScienceForWork is an independent, non-profit foundation of evidence-based practitioners who want to #MakeWorkBetter.
