The Gund Institute at UVM

Photo courtesy of Gund Institute for Environment

The Creative Discourse Group (TCDG) proudly partnered with the University of Vermont's Gund Institute for Environment to facilitate two transformative dialogue-based sessions aimed at fostering an inclusive community and addressing the findings of the Gund Community Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Survey Report (2022).

During these sessions, TCDG associates, Kesha Ram Hinsdale and Dr. Reese C. Kelly, guided Gund faculty, staff, graduate students, and post-docs through engaging activities and discussions. The sessions provided a platform for open dialogue, enabling participants to share diverse perspectives on the survey results and related issues.

The impact of TCDG's work was evident as participants actively engaged, expressing optimism about the institute's potential for growth in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. At the end of each session, participants expressed a desire for wanting “more time” to think about these topics across disciplines and differences, and to generate additional ideas for future advancement.

The positive outcomes continued post-sessions, with the Gund Institute taking concrete steps towards improvement. In response to the insights gained, Gund held staff retreats to identify short and medium-term steps for enhancement and shared their commitment to DEIB with their community, outlining specific goals to achieve. Furthermore, the institute has engaged with the Center for Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) to provide mentorship training in 2024, addressing a crucial need identified during the sessions.

The Gund Institute’s commitment to DEIB initiatives continues. Plans are in place to continue to discuss these initiatives with faculty and student fellows, showcasing a sustained dedication to cultivating an inclusive environment.

We’ve really benefited from your help, and used the experience and the report to plot ways forward. Taylor Ricketts, Director

TCDG is honored to have played a role in supporting the Gund Institute’s thinking and identifying actionable strategies around DEIB. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to fostering dialogue, understanding, and actionable steps towards creating inclusive spaces. We invite others to explore the potential for transformative collaborations with TCDG, where meaningful conversations lead to tangible positive impacts.