Sarah Spencer writing in 2012 says: “The term ‘super-diversity’ has been coined to describe a condition in cities where diversity may mean over one hundred nationalities, but also a diversity of legal statuses, of socioeconomic conditions and a greater diversity in how people choose to live and define themselves.” She argues that this term should be broadened to include other forms of diversity that are present in our societies. I certainly agree with this idea as it matches our current reality in the University.
When I first read about this concept, I realised that Westminster Business School is a wonderful example of a super-diverse organisation. Our students, staff and other stakeholders come from more than 140 countries and represent many different nationalities, ethnic backgrounds and faiths, as well as being people of different ages, languages, sexual orientation, disabilities and ages. The new concept and term ‘super-diversity’ is useful as it gives a name for a new reality and it provides an update to concepts such as multi-cultural and equal opportunities. I always think that being able to name something is important as it helps the concept to be explored and so it can be used to inform our current practices.
Super-diversity is important as we live in a rapidly changing, connected and global economy and, for business and management educators, it helps us to articulate and represent our current, very exciting reality.
It also raises many different questions such as:
- How do we design and deliver learning experiences which enable a community of super-diverse students and staff to benefit from each other’s experiences and different outlooks?
- How do we develop learning communities which has at its heart a super-diverse membership?
- How do we manage situations where tensions and conflicts arise, perhaps, as a result of our diverse perspectives and expectations?
- How do we help our students (and staff) develop professional, global careers?
There are many other questions that arise when thinking about super-diversity in the context of business and management education but I think these four provide an excellent starting point.
It is certainly a concept that is helpful in our work within the Westminster Business School as we seek to provide excellent education for our super-diverse groups of students. This idea is helping to inform our current work in developing our programmes and our students’ experiences, as well as our thinking at a longer term more strategic level.
