Area 1: Challenging the status quo

The first Equity Compass area is called ‘Challenging the status quo’, which includes three dimensions to improve equity: Transforming power relations, Prioritising minoritised communities, and Redistributing resources.

In this video, Emily explains what each of these equity dimensions means, and what questions you might be asking to think about these dimensions.

• Transforming power relations involves thinking about dominant representations and ways of doing science and STEM. It’s about who and what counts. For example, might your practice reproduce stereotypes about science and scientists?
• Prioritising minoritised communities focuses on whose agenda and whose needs are driving the activities. For example, do you prioritise the needs of STEM industries, such as needing a larger pool of skilled workforce, or the needs of the participants, particularly those from minoritised backgrounds?
• Redistributing resources brings our attention to thinking about who are the participants that we work with. For example, are the opportunities largely available to those from more privileged backgrounds? How do you actively support people who might not be in a position to easily take up the resources that informal STEM learning has to offer?

Next, we use the questions introduced within this Equity Compass area to think about an illustrative case study taking place in a science centre.