D&I Friday Read No. 486

Today we talk about the growth of wheelchair tennis, a new report about social disconnect, how calibration meetings can introduce bias into performance reviews, and a new survey about the health and well-being of women and girls worldwide.

Bias
This insightful HBR article discusses how, according to recent research, calibration meetings used for performance evaluation can introduce bias to the process.

Well-being
According to the newly released data in The Citizen Connections Report 2023, loneliness is more fatal than smoking. Thought-provoking report about social disconnect, worth reading!

Representation
Interesting article about the popularity of wheelchair tennis, and how combining it with the non-disabled game has helped in its continued growth.

Women’s Health
The Hologic Global Women’s Health Index is a multiyear, comprehensive global survey providing insights about the health and well-being of women and girls worldwide. Worth reading!

D&I Friday Read No. 485

Today we talk about a WEF session on gender parity, disability-inclusive travel destinations, a podcast about the Montgomery bus boycott, and an advert tackling the generation gap.

Gender Parity
A noteworthy panel discussion from this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting focused on gender parity. The closure of gender gaps in the economy has the potential to unlock a “gender dividend” worth $172 trillion for the global economy.

Disability
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in six individuals worldwide lives with a significant disability. While travelling with a disability remains challenging, more and more destinations are now realizing the opportunities of becoming disability-inclusive. Read more here.

Racial Equality
Rosa Parks’ role in the Montgomery bus boycott during the 1950s civil rights movement is well-known. This podcast shares the little-known story of the other women who organized and sustained the boycott for 13 months.

Generation
The Australian Lamb advertisement titled “The Generation Gap” went viral this week, highlighting the differences between generations in a humorous way. Watch it here.

D&I Friday Read No. 484

Today we talk about a new D&I report from the WEF, how employers can support employees in menopause, a parliamentarian with Down syndrome making history, and a 92-year-old great-grandmother going to primary school.

Diversity
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lighthouses 2024 Report was recently released by the World Economic Forum. The report shows success factors that were common among impactful D&I initiatives, and contains several case studies – worth reading! 

Women in the Workforce
Insightful article showing why it is crucial for employers to support employees in menopause. It also outlines practical steps that employers can take to offer meaningful support.

Representation
Mar Galcerán, a parliamentarian in Spain, recently made history by becoming the country’s first parliamentarian with Down syndrome. Read more here.

Women Empowerment
Great story from India – Salima Khan is a 92-year-old great-grandmother who has been attending school for the past two years. Her efforts to learn how to read and write have motivated others to do the same.

D&I Friday Read No. 483

Today we talk about the online behaviours of different generations, leaders thinking about work after hours, Glenn Close talking about mental health, and accessibility advancements from 2023.

Well-being
How does thinking about work after hours affect leaders? Interesting research, suggesting that disconnecting improves well-being and leadership performance.

Accessibility
Good round-up of accessibility advancements we saw in 2023, including accessible navigation tools, inclusive gaming, and accessibility improvements in live entertainment.

Generation
Insightful article about digital inclusion and the online behaviour of over 70-year-olds. According to a new survey from the UK, they spend more time online than any other generation besides Gen Z.

Mental Health
Touching TEDWomen conversation with actor Glenn Close, talking about mental health and her own family’s struggles – aiming to end the stigma surrounding mental illness.

D&I Friday Read No. 482 – Special Edition: Best of 2023

Today I am sharing some of my favourite articles and videos from 2023. Happy New Year!

Women in the Workforce 
In October, Professor Claudia Goldin was awarded the 2023 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for her decades of work studying women in the workforce and the gender pay gap. Since 1969, this prize has been awarded to 90 men – she is the third woman in history to receive it (and the first woman to receive it solo). Read more here.

Gender Bias
According to a UN report, gender biases have not improved over the past decade. 49% of people worldwide still believe that men are better political leaders than women, and more than 40% believe that men are better business executives than women. 

Well-being
Coming back from vacation, people often tend to overwork, which can increase stress and even undermine their efforts to catch up. This article shares several post-vacation strategies, worth reading!

Gender & Climate Change
Ahead of the 2023 International Women’s Day, the short film “Daughter” was launched to raise awareness about the impact that climate change has on women around the world. Worth watching!

Well-being
Interesting article about “Niksen”, the trend from the Netherlands that translates to “doing nothing”, and can help people to manage stress and improve well-being.

Medical Racism
A study from Stanford School of Medicine shows that popular AI chatbots (such as ChatGPT and Google’s Bard) could increase medical racism – due to them giving incorrect advice and sharing long-outdated beliefs about Black patients.

Cognitive Diversity
Interesting article about problem-solving vs problem-finding in the age of AI – and why cognitive diversity will be crucial going forward.

Girls’ Empowerment
Touching video with Dr Urvashi Sahni, sharing her personal story – and how her experience encouraged her to fight for girls’ education in India for the past 37 years.

World of Work
Interesting HBR article about the importance of speak-up culture – and what steps leaders can take to create conditions where all employees feel free to speak up.

Neurodiversity
There are many stereotypes about autism – but, in reality, autism presents differently in different people. Great animation, worth watching!

Representation
Great short film about Britain’s Chineke! Orchestra, the first professional orchestra in Europe consisting of mainly Black and ethnically diverse musicians. It was founded in 2015, and champions change and celebrates diversity in orchestra music.

Well-being
An interesting story from Luleå, a city in the north of Sweden, where a campaign called “Säg hej” (Say hello) is trying to tackle loneliness.