An Organizing Approach to Diversifying Political Science

Building Infrastructure to Enhance Diversity in Political Methodology

“…Tormos-Aponte (2021) argues that an organizing approach is needed to diversify political science and increase inclusivity. This approach outlines how to create opportunities while seizing on existing frameworks already established by women, minority political scientists, or both groups.…”

“…Specifically, the organizing approach advocates for placing scholars from marginalized groups in leadership roles, prioritizing issues specific to marginalized groups, and dedicating resources to these efforts. Importantly, it requires that these efforts be part of an ongoing dynamic process (Tormos-Aponte 2021). Table 1 summarizes how Data Lab elements map onto each of these criteria.…”

“…By partnering with the APSA’s Minority Graduate Placement Program (MIGAP) and engaging in outreach efforts to Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), we offered a two-day lab opportunity that builds skills and confidence in data science and shares information on political science research and PhD programs. Dubbed the “Data Lab,” this model fits within the intersectional organizing approach (Tormos-Aponte 2021) and generated positive responses from participating URM students. We believe the keys to the emerging success of this model are targeted recruitment, an inclusive learning environment, institutional and financial support, and the development of ongoing relationships with lab participants.…”

“…We recognize that opportunity structures are racialized and gendered (e.g., Beckwith 2015; Jackson 2019; Kenney 1996; Wilson 2007). Thus, we must challenge institutional barriers by engaging “in efforts that recognize the ways in which intersectional forms of oppression manifest in academic spaces” (Tormos-Aponte 2021, 2). Our program follows the blueprints of existing ones designed to increase opportunities for underrepresented undergraduate and graduate students, including the APSA Ralph Bunche Summer Institute and the Visions in Methodology conference (Barnes and Beaulieu 2017).…”

Building and Sustaining an Academic Pipeline by the Sponsorship of Women of Color Political Scientists

“…Another factor influencing diversity concerns whether faculty of color are appropriately connected and supported (Lavariega Monforti and Michelson 2020; Pedraza and Lajevardi 2020). The experiences of women of color have spawned efforts within some institutions and organizations to better support them in the discipline (Cassese and Holman 2018; Lavariega Monforti and Michelson 2020; Pedraza and Lajevardi 2020; Tormos-Aponte 2021). These efforts range in scope and type, and the effect is being evaluated (Michelson and Monforti 2021).…”