Women in IS: A Reflection on Diversity and Inclusion (Editorial)

Recently, the US administration has undertaken a rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies, educational institutions, and federally funded programs. This policy shift led to funding cuts. In higher education, institutions like Harvard faced federal funding freezes over their refusal to dismantle DEI and other programs, leading to lawsuits against the administration. These actions have sparked widespread concern among educators, scientists, and civil rights advocates, who argue that the dismantling of DEI programs undermines efforts to promote inclusivity and address systemic inequalities. This policy shift is already affecting DEI programs in other countries, particularly those funded by US-based companies or agencies. These political developments highlight the importance of revisiting the fundamental value of diversity itself – why it matters, what it offers, and what is at stake when it is undermined.