Ep.28 – DEI: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) has become an ubiquitous part of academics. In this episode, we talk with an DEI expert, Mr. Matt Pinchinat, who is the director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Guilderland Central School District in the capital region of NY. He’s also an adjunct faculty at Clarkson University. He answers some emergent questions on why DEI is necessary in academics and what we expect to achieve through DEI activities and initiatives. Reference list:

• Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal (schallert.wygal@gmail.com)
• Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)

Sponsor: De Gruyter: This episode is sponsored by De Gruyter and its portfolio in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. For “Students and Researchers in Mathematics” De Gruyter’s 2022 catalog is now available on This Academic Life website. Useful Resources and References:

• https://www.guilderlandschools.org/equity-diverrsity-and-inclusion-at-guilderland/
• https://asm.org/Articles/2021/May/Addressing-Diversity,-Equity-and-Inclusion-in-Acad
• https://peopleadmin.com/2016/09/dei-why-it-matters-and-whats-standing-in-the-way/
• https://academicpersonnel.ucmerced.edu/Evidenced-Based_DEI_Best_Practices
• https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/words-to-action
• https://www.heritage.org/education/report/diversity-university-dei-bloat-the-academy
• https://www.academicdiversitysearch.com/what-is-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-academia/

Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at info@thisacademiclife.org. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”. Cast list:

• Mr. Matt Pinchinat is the Director of DEI at Guilderland Central School District in NY and an adjunct faculty at Clarkson University.
• Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
• Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
• Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

Editing team:

• Angella Chen
• Jared Duffy

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