What we do

Everyone at OIST holds collective responsibility for realizing equitable and inclusive practices, from the systems and policy level to small daily interactions. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team supports the OIST community in moving toward our aspirational culture by serving as a capacity builder, as a coach, and as a connector across the university.

Capacity Builder

  • We facilitate knowledge, skill, and mindset building for inclusive excellence at OIST through workshops and training.
  • We develop language and institutional infrastructure to promote inclusion, access and equity.
  • We partner with external organizations to develop initiatives to address systemic DEI challenges facing Japanese universities and research institutions.
  • We contextualize information to support individuals’ understanding of concepts at a systems level.
  • We partner with Okinawan colleagues and local community members to deepen institutional investment in Okinawa.
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Coach

  • We support offices, units, divisions, sections, and groups across the university to develop goals and strategic plans around diversity, equity and inclusion relevant to their work.
  • We coach those groups to develop the technical and adaptive skills, knowledge and mindsets necessary to achieve their goals and build a more inclusive and equitable university climate.
  • We partner with others to develop sustainable solutions to pressing inclusivity challenges.
  • We consult multiple perspectives and data points to inform, measure and share our DEI efforts. 
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Connector

  • We facilitate spaces in which OISTers make connections and build relationships across lines of difference.
  • We identify opportunities for synergy occurring in isolated pockets and foster connections between individuals and groups pursuing common goals for equity.
  • We coordinate work behind the scenes to connect grassroots efforts to systemic efforts for change.
  • We support network and relationship building among marginalized groups to build a collective. 
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Services

Consultation

  • Feedback to ensure policies, practices, systems, and communications are equitable and inclusive.
  • Active listening and perspective on complex situations with multiple stakeholders.
  • Navigating challenging situations and power dynamics.

Tailored Workshops

  • Leadership development to make effective and equitable decisions
  • Group workshops to transform culture into a healthy and productive environment
  • Workshops to surface and engage with conflict