Learning and Professional Development

The Division of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Student Affairs (DEISA) has curated a list of learning and professional development resources for Butler students, staff, and faculty. These resources provide foundational and advanced learning so campus members can educate themselves about the various identities on campus and identify meaningful actions to implement as individuals, teams, colleges/departments, and a campus community.

Resources for Butler Community

Butler offers several resources that members of the Butler community can utilize to engage in individual or group-based learning, such as LinkedIn Learning. Read more about the resources below and how to engage with the various learning platforms.

Butler University Human Resources has launched our partnership with this online platform that offers self-paced courses to enhance foundational knowledge and support personal and professional growth. The courses can be completed over time, and you can complete the videos in the order you’d like. After completing specific courses, you can earn certifications that appear on your LinkedIn profile.

Get Started with LinkedIn Learning Guides:

Dialogue is a form of communication in which people from diverse perspectives seek to increase their understanding of a specific topic or issue. The dialogue process involves actively listening, inviting differences of opinion, and finding places of agreement to identify common ground, build relationships, and move toward collaborative action.

Learn about the differences between debate, discussion, and dialogue.

Kachwaha, T. (2002). Exploring the Differences Between Dialogue, Discussion, and Debate [Infographic]. University of Michigan.

There are multiple benefits to dialogue such as the ability to challenge our own assumptions and learn about the lived experiences of those who differ from us.

Learn more dialogue and how to engage in dialgoues at Butler

Butler University staff and faculty are curated resources list that provides sources and content to help individuals advance their DEI journey.

Butler University IDEA – Resource List Curated by Dr. Elise Edwards, the resources listed will help campus members become educated about social justice issues and topics, and help increase inclusivity in their classrooms and pedagogies.
DEI LibGuide – The Academic Affairs Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Butler Libraries created this guide to provide information on DEI in higher education and how both Butler Libraries and Butler University are advancing DEI across campus.
The Fortnightly Literary Book Collection – This living collection of books centered on Black authors covers multiple disciplines and genres. The collection was created to increase access to literature by Black authors and engagements with Black cultural knowledge. The collection is located on the first floor of the Irwin Library. The full collection is accessible to the Butler community and Indianapolis community members with library cards. To view the entire collection in Butler’s database, click here.

Foundational Learning

Below are resources that will help you build foundational knowledge and skills that will assist you in creating and engaging in inclusive practices. We encourage further research into these topics to gain a deeper framework and expanded understanding. Hyperlinks will direct you to videos or other materials for further exploration. Please note that some materials may begin playing automatically.

This list encompasses general terms and definitions relevant to inclusivity and belonging. This is not an exhaustive list; additional terms and supporting material will be added periodically.

Bystander Intervention – A social phenomenon that states individuals are less likely to offer help to someone in need when others are present.

Cultural Humility – An ongoing process of analyzing one’s biases and prejudices and learning about other cultures and identities to honor their beliefs and values.

Empathy – The ability to take another’s perspectives and provide a non-judgmental space for their experiences which in turn creates a sense of safety and connection between people.

Intersectionality – The recognition that identity factors such as race, gender identity, socioeconomic background, disability status, national origin, sexual orientation, etc., intersect within people’s lives to create increasing experiences of oppression and injustice.

Microaggressions – A statement or action that indirectly, subtly, and/or unintentionally discriminates or expresses prejudice toward someone belonging to a racial/ethnic minority group.

Neurodiversity – An idea that emphasizes the differences in how people process and engage with information and the world around them.

Using Gender Inclusive Language – The words we use can allows those around us to have a sense of belonging. Lori Nishiura Mackenzie helps viewers understand the importance of gender-inclusive language and provides practical ways to use gender-inclusive language.

White Fragility – The experience of discomfort and defensiveness that white people have when encountering conversations about race and inequality.

White Privilege – Inherent, invisible social and economic advantages that white people have on the basis of race.

Check out our Shared Language Glossary for more terms.

All individuals carry implicit and explicit biases. Unlearning biases can lead to greater empathy and warmth towards those who do not share the same identities. Thus, we have shared tools and resources on how to unlearn and move past biases.

Bias Reporting Resources – A list of on and off campus resources that campus members can utilize to discuss the experience of being biased, how to unlearn bias, and confront bias.

Implicit Association Test – Assessment created by Harvard University to gauge the biases you hold toward groups based on their race, gender, class, nationality, religion, and/or other social identities.

Empowering People to Break the Bias Habit – Infographic created by William T. L. Cox that provides ineffective and effective ways to reduce bias.

Unconscious Bias – In this LinkedIn Learning course, the instructor will discuss common examples of bias and their implications. Alongside, she will teach viewers how biases are formed, how bias translates to the workplace, and how to overcome bias.

Confronting Bias: Thriving Across Our Differences – This course will teach members of the campus about the impact of our cultural lenses on daily interactions, forms of unconscious bias, and how to respond when they have said or done the wrong thing unintentionally.

Being an ally is rooted in the recognition of your power and privilege and the decision to use your privileges to uplift others. The information below discusses effective ways to be an ally to those historically silenced and underrepresented.

10 Common Things Well-Intentioned Allies Do That Are Actually Counterproductive – An article discussing how allies make mistakes and how to correct those mistakes.

Allyship: How to be Better Allies – A short video describing what an effective ally is, the importance of centering marginalized voices, and practical ways to display allyship.

Inclusive Mindset for Committed Allies – To be an ally, it is important to know how to be effective in your role. This course breaks down the basic principles of allyship how to practice them and how to build an inclusive mindset as an ally.

Deep-Dive into DEI Topics

Is there a particular subject matter or identity of which you are passionate? You’re in luck! These resources will allow you to explore DEI topics related to identity, background, and theory more in-depth. Some resources will reflect the intersection of multiple identities.

Learning and Working Environment

The resources are divided into two sections, learning environment and working environment, to allow people to engage with material most relevant to their affiliation to Butler.

Students in a classroom during a lecture

Inclusive Learning Environment Resources

These resources primarily assist students, faculty, and staff in student-facing positions by providing information on how to support their diverse students and peers and how to create opportunities for meaningful engagement.

Inclusive Learning Environment Resources

Several people together, with one person talking in the middle of the group of people

Inclusive Working Environment Resources

These resources will educate faculty and staff about the diversity of social experiences and identities among team members and ways to practice inclusivity for all members of the workplace.

Inclusive Working Environment Resources

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Resources for Butler Community

LinkedIn Learning Open

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Learning and Working Environment

Inclusive Learning Environment Resources

Inclusive Working Environment Resources