Diversity Science: From Theory to Action in Applied Settings

According to the influential work of Plaut (2010), diversity science is defined as scientific research that centers human differences within a sociocultural context. Diversity science is a framework that uses all the scientific methods of psychological science; however, the tools employed are specifically geared towards addressing issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Diversity science also aims to respectfully represent historically underrepresented and socially marginalized/minoritized persons (e.g., racial/ethnic communities, low-income persons, women, religious communities, people living with disabilities, immigrants, LGBTQ+, LGBTQ+ People of Color, and other diverse communities; Causadias et al., 2023; Millet et al., 2019; Plaut, 2010). At the center of diversity science is the notion that inequity, structural discrimination, and lack of inclusion of diverse communities occurs in every sector of society (e.g., education, healthcare, businesses, organizations; Plaut, 2010). Other diversity science principles include recognizing that human individual differences are bound by sociocultural contexts; discrimination experienced by social groups limits economic, employment, educational, and health opportunities; and historical patterns of oppression and inequality exist in structures of society, and these are also replicated in psychological science (Millet et al., 2019). Given the widespread inequities, science from every discipline within psychology is inherently diversity science because human thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors cannot be examined in a vacuum that is devoid of sociocultural contexts and influences (Mendoza-Denton & Espana, 2010); however, most research does not consider sociocultural contexts. To this end, psychological scientists are in a unique position to use a diversity science in applied settings to find solutions to address these inequities. Despite the increased number of theoretical papers dedicated to this topic, very few articles focus on making explicit the theory/principles that drive the action of diversity science in applied settings (e.g., higher education, healthcare, businesses/workplaces, community-based organizations, legislative offices, and police departments). Thus, our call for submissions will curate studies that centers diversity science theory/principles as a framework to guide action in applied settings.