Accepting and appreciating individuals for who they are enhances any team, class, community or professional environment. Research by J. Young-Jin Kim, K. J. Block and D. Nguyen (2019) shows that inclusive, welcoming, and diverse groups outperform their less inclusive counterparts.
Fostering a sense of safety and belonging for both ourselves and our peers can unlock the potential of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. This not only empowers individuals but also strengthens the group, promoting more effective collaboration.
Being inclusive and taking action to create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported can be achieved by the following:
Educating yourself about different cultures, backgrounds and abilities can help you to appreciate the diversity of individuals and their groups. You can also take the time to educate your peers or friends about your own culture, helping them to gain a deeper experience of your background and experiences.
Sharing your own individual identities with your peers can help to build stronger connections, foster mutual respect and create a more inclusive environment.
Actively listening means fully engaging with what others are saying, seeking to understand their perspective without judgment. Combining your active listening skills with active learning, you can show your growth skills.
For further information on Active Learning and Active Listening, follow the links below to more in-depth guidance:
Active Listening – Communication Guide
Active Learning – Adaptability Guide
Recognising and celebrating your peers' contributions fosters inclusivity and belonging. If your peers are happy for you to do so, publicly acknowledging achievements, especially for those who may lack visibility, helps amplify their voices and shows them that someone is actively seeking to support them.
Similarly, celebrating cultural and milestone events builds a more inclusive environment.
Respect is the foundation of an inclusive environment. Through acknowledging and valuing differences, you contribute to a culture of understanding and appreciation, where everyone feels empowered to be themselves.
An inclusive environment is one where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and celebrated. This requires effort to address biases, amplify underrepresented voices, and build systems that ensure equity for all.
Inclusivity requires actively challenging discriminatory behaviours, stereotypes, and biases. This can involve speaking up when you witness discrimination if it is safe to do so, supporting those affected, and promoting viewpoints that uphold fairness and equality.
If you find yourself in a heated discussion with another, try to remain calm and focus on understanding rather than escalating conflicts. Address the issue with respect, ask questions to clarify their views and show empathy to investigate and avoid any misunderstandings.
If you have witnessed discrimination, do not hesitate to contact your Academics, or the university's support services. Seeking guidance and advocating for inclusivity ensures a safer and more respectful environment for everyone and keeps yourself and your peers safe.
You can also utilise the SafeZone App to report a tip, and use the emergency safety features on the app.
If you are in immediate danger, call security on: 01332 597777
For more information on resolving conflicts, please follow onwards to the ‘Resolving Conflicts’ section of the guide.
For further guidance, please follow the Being a Good Neighbour advice from the University of Derby.
