"DEI Project in Latin America: Plan and preliminary findings" by Carina Bossu and Viviane Vladimirschi was presented at the 2 March 2021 GO-GN webinar. Blog posts: Proyecto DEI en Latinoamérica: Plan y resultados preliminares: http://go-gn.net/webinars/proyecto-dei-en-latinoamerica-plan-y-resultados-preliminares/ Projeto DEI na América Latina–Plano e dados preliminares: http://go-gn.net/webinars/projeto-dei-na-america-latina-plano-e-dados-preliminares/ DEI Project in Latin America: Plan and preliminary findings: http://go-gn.net/webinars/dei-project-in-latin-america-plan-and-preliminary-findings/

1. DEI Project in Latin America:
Plan and preliminary findings
Carina Bossu – The Open University – carina.bossu@open.ac.uk
Viviane Vladimirschi – Independent Researcher - vvladimirschi@gmail.com
GO-GN Webinar Series 02.03.2021

2. Overview of the Project
About the project DEI Phase 2
Process and
Methodology
Preliminary
Findings
Recommendations
What is already in
place
2
About this Presentation

3. Overview
of the
Project
About the Project
• A GO-GN project and supported by
the Hewlett Foundation
• For GO-GN –as an open research
community- to be more diverse,
equitable & inclusive.
• To incorporate perspectives &
experiences of underrepresented
communities.
• Develop DEI Guidelines for GO-GN
• Phase 1 in Africa of the DEI project
• Phase 2 of the DEI project in Latin
America
3

4. Process and Methodology
• Interviews: 12 key stakeholders (including GO-GN
members) from Latin America.
• Categorisation (coding) and analysis of data undertaken
using NVivo.
• 1/2 online workshop with experts in OER (workshop
informed by the interviews) – to validate and gather
additional data.
• Dissemination of results through presentations, blog post
and publications.
4

5. Defining
Diversity
5
Phase 1
•Consider but should not be limited to
culture, race, ability, health, criminal
record, class and appearance.
•Acknowledge the range of contexts
underpinning diversity and the limitations
of people’s understanding of diversity in
order to take appropriate actions.
Phase 2
•Multidisciplinary
•Varieties of experiences
•Language
•Representation

6. Defining
Equity
6
Phase 1
•Remove barriers to access
(language, research practices)
•Equal opportunities
•Acknowledge that there are
different needs, and that equity
must be a continuing process.
Phase 2
•Social justice
•Equal opportunities
•Capacity building and
awareness raising
•Resources

7. Defining
Inclusion
7
•Take into consideration other
people’s views and opinions
•What/who should be included
(or excluded) and why
•Involve the marginalised and
unheard voices
Phase 1
• Participation
• Integration
• Collaboration
• Feel valued
Phase 2

8. Discussion
• We would like to know how diversity, equity and
inclusiveness is applicable to your context?
• In your view, what is the role that GO-GN network
plays in enabling DEI?
8

9. Brief overview of OE in Latin America
• Several ongoing existing initiatives;
• High use and practices of digital resources (i.e., remixing);
• Barriers: lack of knowledge of open licenses; lack of policies and
funding; lack of country champions; lack of awareness-raising and
capacity building;
• Countries have different approaches to funding basic and higher
education;
• Need to showcase more efficiently their OE/OER initiatives to the
Global North;
• Support via the use of resources and tools and research via
participation in the GO-GN could be great assets. 9

10. Defining DEI in Phase 2
10
A diverse, equitable and inclusive community is one where the
rights of each person are respected, opportunities for growth
are equal for all but also adaptable to the needs and capabilities
of the individual, that is the community understood that an
essential part of society is aware that individuals have different
characteristics and needs and opportunities for growth shall be
accessible to all (D).
Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

11. Preliminary Findings
- Not all participants were aware of GO-GN.
- Lack of language diversity can be a barrier to
expand the Open Education movement in Latin
America. Resources predominately in English.
- Additional funding, infrastructure and capacity
building are required to foster a DEI community in
Open Education in Latin America.
- Latin America needs more researchers in Open
Education to expand the movement in the region
and to give voice to the Global South.
- Stakeholders suggested strategies and
recommendations to develop effective ways of
communicating open research activities in Latin
America.
11

12. Recommendations
12
Key recommendations from Central
and Latin American participants are:
To develop further partnerships
with Latin American universities to
enhance GO-GN visibility and reach.
Establish a clear objective,
communication and identity for the
Latin American community.
Development of conferences,
workshop or seminars to build capacity
in OE, including translation of content
into Spanish and Portuguese.
To provide small research grants
to disadvantaged students from
the Global South.

13. GO-GN is
already
committed
to
• Inform members, that diversity, equity and
inclusion guidelines are in operation.
• To create an environment in which individual
unique experiences and contributions are
recognized and valued.
• To create an open research community that
promotes dignity and respect for everyone
irrespective of race, sex, disability, religion,
nationality or gender.
• To make available open research capacity
building and development opportunities to
disadvantage students from Global South.
• To regularly review all GO-GN open practices
and procedures so that fairness, diversity,
equity and inclusion upheld at all cost.
13

14. Questions?
Thanks!!
@GOGN_OER
@carinabossu
@vvladi
http://go-gn.net/webinars/dei-project-
in-latin-america-plan-and-preliminary-
findings/
http://go-gn.net/webinars/projeto-dei-
na-america-latina-plano-e-dados-
preliminares/
http://go-gn.net/webinars/proyecto-
dei-en-latinoamerica-plan-y-resultados-
preliminares/