Guiding Principles for Culturally Responsive Facilitation: Lessons Learned from Delivering Culturally Aware Mentor Training to STEMM Faculty

Journal of Diversity in Higher Education (2024)

Authors: Stephanie C House, Angela Byars-Winston, Sonia Zárate, Diana Eileen Azurdia, Bruce Birren, Philip Cheng, Kelly Diggs-Andrews, Steven P Lee, Kermin Martínez-Hernández, Richard McGee, Amy Prunuske, Katrina Ramírez, Christine A Sorkness

Abstract: Diversifying the academic workforce requires equitable and inclusive training environments. Essential to achieving this goal is understanding the relevance of racial and cultural identities in our interactions, and a willingness and ability to engage in frank discussions about race and racism. Grounded in reflective practice, somatic abolitionism, and social justice education theory, this practice brief articulates six guiding principles for culturally responsive facilitation within diversity, equity, and inclusion workshops for adult learners. We use our collective experience implementing a mentorship education intervention, Culturally Aware Mentoring, with faculty in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine to illustrate these principles.