Reframing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Higher Ed Through Olympic Values and Game Theory
Los Angeles, CA: (L-R) Judi Brown (USA), Nawal El Moutawakel (Morocco), Cristieana Cojocaru (Romania), 1984 Summer Olympics - Women's Track 400 metres hurdles medal ceremony, Memorial Coliseum, August 5, 1984 * Credit: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Diversity is under attack at universities across the nation, and to some, the ongoing assault was an unspoken subtext to multiple issues that, after only six months in the job, forced Claudine Gay’s resignation as the first Black President of Harvard University. In the wake of that event and, more broadly, the Supreme Court’s rollback of affirmative action in college admissions last year, it is fair to ask: “what is the path forward for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on our campuses?” As a university vice president and chief diversity officer, an Olympic medalist, and as a Black woman, I offer a personal perspective on one way we might reframe the DEI debate to provide a positive vision to move forward. Our students, faculty, staff and the public are waiting; they need hope and heroes.
DEI presents a high-performance model for excellence, which can be framed within Olympic values. By aligning DEI and Olympic values using game theory strategies (among others), we can foster a more inclusive and equitable environment for students, faculty, and staff. The upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics offers a timely opportunity to appreciate how the Games and athletes manifest the mutually reinforcing ideals of excellence and diversity in our global village.
There are numerous points of alignment that embrace the Olympic Games’ three core values — respect, excellence, and friendship. Combining those with other Olympic principles can further the objectives of DEI programs.
In the Olympics, respect for oneself and others is paramount. Similarly, in DEI efforts, respect for different identities and perspectives is crucial. Colleges can promote respect by fostering an inclusive campus culture, encouraging dialogue, and combating discriminatory behaviors.
The pursuit of excellence is a fundamental Olympic value. In DEI efforts, colleges can strive for excellence by ensuring equal opportunities for all students, faculty, and staff to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. This includes providing resources, mentorship, and support systems for all.
The Olympics celebrate friendship among nations. DEI efforts can promote friendship by fostering a sense of belonging and community on campus. Universities can create spaces for students, faculty, and staff to build connections, engage in dialogue, and learn from one another's diverse experiences.
Fairness is a fundamental principle in the Olympics, ensuring that all participants have an equal chance to compete and succeed. DEI efforts should also prioritize fairness by addressing systemic inequities and biases within the university environment. This can involve implementing policies and practices that promote equal opportunities, such as inclusive admissions processes, equitable distribution of resources, and fair hiring practices.
The Olympics inspire people worldwide. In a campus community, DEI efforts can inspire individuals by promoting role models and showcasing success stories from many backgrounds. By highlighting the achievements of diverse individuals, universities can challenge biased stereotypes and motivate others to strive for success.
The Olympics aim to unite people from different backgrounds and cultures through the spirit of competition. DEI efforts in universities can promote unity by creating spaces for dialogue, collaboration, and understanding among diverse groups. Building bridges between individuals from different backgrounds can foster a sense of unity and promote a more inclusive campus community.
The Olympics emphasize the importance of good sportsmanship, respect, integrity, and fair play. DEI efforts in colleges can encourage sportsmanship by promoting positive and respectful interactions among students, faculty, and staff. This includes fostering a culture of accountability, addressing acts of discrimination or bias, and promoting healthy communication and conflict resolution.
As applied to behavioral relations, game theory helps us understand how individuals make strategic decisions in competitive situations. A fundamental concept of common game theory constructs — such as the familiar prisoner’s dilemma (and variations thereof, including traveler’s dilemma and volunteer’s dilemma) — is that no actor can improve their outcome by unilateral strategic action. But in difficult social circumstances, the ideal individual outcome is often incompatible with the ideal collective outcome (Ramirez, et al., 2023). Game theory has wide applications in numerous fields. As one example, it has been studied by scholars with respect to policies in an academic setting that seek to promote greater gender diversity and inclusion through revisions to leadership selection processes (Harper, et al., 2021).
When applied to DEI initiatives, game theory can be a useful tool, among others, to foster Olympic values by helping universities identify and address potential biases, power dynamics, and systemic barriers that hinder the participation and success of underrepresented groups. When analyzed through a game-theoretical lens, diversity becomes a valuable asset that enriches the pool of ideas and perspectives within a team. By bringing together individuals from various backgrounds, organizations can tap into a wider range of skills, experiences, and knowledge, leading to more creative problem-solving and better decision-making.
Game theory can help organizations design mechanisms and structures that promote inclusion by providing a framework for understanding how individuals make decisions and interact with each other. This creates fair and equitable systems that encourage active participation from all team members. For example, in situations where resources are limited, game theory models can help develop fair allocation mechanisms that ensure everyone receives an equal opportunity to access and then benefit from these resources. This encourages team members to work together towards common goals, fostering a sense of equity and shared success.
Inclusion is the final piece of the puzzle, ensuring that individuals feel valued, respected, and part of the team's dynamics and decision-making processes. With the help of game theory, organizations can create simulations or activities that reward individuals for inclusive behavior and cooperation. This can include scenarios where individuals are encouraged to share resources, support each other's ideas, and work together towards common goals. By aligning incentives with inclusive behavior, organizations can create a culture that values and promotes diversity and inclusion.
By integrating Olympic values and game theory into DEI initiatives, universities can foster inclusive environments rooted in respect, excellence, and fairness. This strategic approach not only cultivates high-performance, but also contributes to a more just and equitable society.
About the Author:
Dr. Judi Brown Clarke was a 2021 Fellow and 2022 Senior Fellow in Harvard’s Advanced Leadership Initiative. She is the vice president of equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer at a public, research-intensive university, chair of the National Fitness Foundation, and vice-chair of the United States Anti-Doping Agency. Prior to her extensive career in education and politics, she was an accomplished track athlete, earning an Olympic silver medal, multiple Pan Am gold medals, and an NCAA championship.