Diversity in Academia

Progressive Leadership - A Follow-Up

I would like to add a follow-up on the previous blog article of 22 July about the innovating role that women often play in various organisations. Here follows another perspective which I find just as important as women leadership: Diversity in Academia.

I offer my former university, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) as an excellent example of diversity. It is well-known that leading academic and research establishments are hugely enriched by their diversity, i.e. diversity in various forms.

The opening of the new Centre for Africa at LSE.

Most recently, the LSE opened a new Centre for Africa, dedicated to African studies and various activities such as lectures by visiting professors and activists. I was truly impressed by this, for in my student days at the School Africa was virtually taboo. I was one of the very few who had a genuine and professional interest in African history and politics. The LSE did not offer nearly the range of courses and lectures on Africa as, for instance, SOAS in London to which people like myself were often referred. I was also impressed because the new Centre for Africa came about thanks to a large private endowment. You can go to the LSE website and read more about the financial details.

Gender and ethnic diversity strengthens and enriches Academia everywhere.

Generally, to follow up on my previous article on the advantages of female leadership, I hold the view that gender and ethnic diversity, exemplified by the new research centres that are opening up at the leading universities, is an enrichment as well as a strength for the future of research, particularly within the social and economic fields of study. Creating a fertile ground for new ideas by promoting women and ethnic minorities more actively in Academia is equivalent to being at the cutting edge of research and development in today's complex world.

Informal conversation at the School: when new ideas are created.

The role of ethnic minorities in the Western World's economy and political life as well as the increasing influence of women in all kinds of organisations are areas into which a lot of research still has to be done to throw more light on the advantages these kinds of diversity offer.

Let this blog be an encouragement for my Alma Mater and all the other Schools and organisations to carry on along the progressive path.

Steen Alexander