Abstract

JIMENEZ-MILLAN, Azahara  and  GARCIA-CANO TORRICO, María. Diversity rhetoric in the spanish public university according to its leaders. Convergencia [online]. 2021, vol.28, e14606.  Epub Nov 01, 2021. ISSN 2448-5799.  https://doi.org/10.29101/crcs.v28i0.14606.

The aim of this article is to interpret the meanings given to the concept of diversity at university according to the discourse of its leaders, those with the capacity to influence the debate and definition of diversity policies in the institution. To this end, a qualitative case study was conducted at a public university in Spain, interviewing 31 leaders from various collectives (faculty, students, and administrative staff) and collegiate bodies. The results describe two different meanings —as individuality and as collectivity— with two different perspectives woven through: enrichment or problem. Interviewees point to foreign students, with disabilities, women, or with limited socio-economic resources, though they do not refer to faculty members or staff. These results allow us to distinguish between three types of rhetoric in relation this concept —naturalization, difference, and inequality— which could potentially be examined further in new studies on the orientation and development of diversity in different contexts.

Keywords : higher education; diversity; Spain; leadership; policy discourse analysis.