From Hashtag Activism to Inclusion and Diversity in a Discipline

Abstract

Many science and engineering fields in Anglo-American countries have been pursuing aggressive diversity and inclusion programs to redress historical marginalization of underrepresented minorities. Though Communication has and continues to make important strides through various initiatives, the discipline has much more to do to achieve inclusivity. Examining tweets posted during the International Communication Association (ICA) 2019 annual conference using social network analysis and content analysis, this essay illustrates how the Twitter-based discussion around diversity was not heard enough outside the ghettoized spaces of the discipline. Therefore, I argue that we urgently need, as a discipline, to work more actively towards greater diversity and inclusivity. The future diversity of the Communication discipline depends on concerted efforts now.