Systemic Analysis as an Institutional Practice of Cultural Humility

Abstract

An institutional practice of cultural humility that moves towards anti-racism (“systemic analysis”) includes the following features: (1) ongoing processes of institutional reflection that cultivate critical consciousness, (2) the creation of university spaces that foster openness to hearing marginalized voices, and (3) an institutional commitment to action leading to structural change. In this approach, outcomes address the “structural competency” of the institution and not individual-level changes (e.g., attitudes, prejudice, bias). The present study describes the implementation of a university's systemic analysis process which included the following elements in its first year: (1) a guide to unit-level reflection, (2) orientation workshops, (3) report-out sessions, (4) progress reports, and (5) an accountability website. Findings drawn from different units (e.g., Computer Science, University Honors, Student Affairs, and Information Technology Services) provide varied case examples of this unit-level reflection process representing an institutional practice of cultural humility.