Equity by Design in STEM Higher Education: Communities of Practice, Action Plans, and Institutional Change

This edited collection presents stories of how university STEM faculty can engage in systemic change toward greater equity. Sharing both successes and struggles, the collection highlights the impact of collective learning that a well-designed community of practice can have on both individual faculty members and the wider research community. All chapter contributors participated in carefully structured communities of practice designed to deepen their understanding of systemic racism and structural inequities in higher education, and they use this understanding to develop concrete action plans to address an inequity within their sphere of influence. In each chapter, faculty members reflect on their goals, implementation processes, measurable impacts, and the barriers and strategies they encountered along the way. Exploring breakthrough moments, ongoing struggles, and institutional contexts and relationships, these narratives reveal the breadth of equity-oriented initiatives across higher education and demonstrate how individual faculty can serve as catalysts for institutional change. A unique and forward-thinking collection, this book will serve as both model and practical guide for educators seeking to advance similar equity work at their own institutions.