Evaluating the institutionalisation of diversity outreach in top universities worldwide

The participation of diverse demographics in higher education has risen over the last half-century; meanwhile, different political and social tiers have been assigning a more active role to institutions in terms of equality and social justice. This change in circumstances has led to the roll out of processes to institutionalise diversity outreach. This study was conducted for the clear purpose of assessing the current institutionalisation status of diversity outreach in 127 key universities from the Academic Ranking of World Universities based on the opinions of diversity outreach managers and the information published on institutional websites, in turn measuring compliance with various indicators. A qualitative analysis of the institutional statements, the goals sought through strategic plans and the definitions of diversity itself was also conducted. The evidence reveals the early stage of the institutionalisation process in universities on account of the low percentage obtained for the proposed indicators. Furthermore, the study failed to exhibit significant differences in this process in terms of the institutional ownership or position held in the ranking; however, more prominent progress was noted in the North-American region when geographical differences were taken into account, likely as a result of the historical background in the advocacy for equal opportunities. Lastly, a change of approach to the conceptualisation of diversity is suggested in favour of equality and social justice.近半个世纪以来，高等教育领域的多元人口参与度持续提升；与此同时，不同政治与社会层级均要求高等院校在平等与社会正义领域承担更积极的角色。这一形势变化推动了将多元 outreach（diversity outreach）制度化的工作流程落地。本研究旨在基于多元 outreach管理人员的意见与高校官网公开信息，评估来自世界大学学术排名的127所重点高校的多元 outreach制度化现状，并据此衡量其在各项指标上的合规程度。研究同时对高校的官方声明、战略规划设定的目标以及多样性本身的定义开展了质性分析。结果显示，由于预设指标的达标率偏低，当前高校的多元 outreach制度化进程仍处于早期阶段。此外，研究未发现院校所有制或在世界大学学术排名中的位次，对该制度化进程存在显著影响；但考虑地域差异时，北美地区的相关进程进展更为显著，这或与当地倡导平等机遇的历史背景有关。最后，研究建议转变多样性的概念化路径，以更好地契合平等与社会正义的目标。