Research by Leeds Alum Dr. Vic Marsh: A New Method for Minority Leaders in DEI Initiatives

Dr. Vic Marsh, a Leeds alum, is making waves in the world of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with his groundbreaking research on how minority leaders can act as allies in workplace initiatives. His recent paper, “An ally by any other name: Examining the effects of racial minority leaders as allies for advancing racial justice,” published in the journal Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, sheds light on the challenges faced by minority leaders in advocating for DEI efforts.

Marsh’s research delves into the disparities in how white and non-white leaders are perceived when advocating for diversity initiatives. He found that racial minority leaders face backlash and are perceived as less effective allies due to assumptions of favoritism. To combat this issue, Marsh and his co-authors propose a solution called “voice amplification framing,” which involves sharing the voices and ideas of lower-level employees of the same race to reduce negative effects of same-race allyship.

In an interview, Marsh emphasized the importance of listening to ideas from all levels of the organization to create a more inclusive workplace. He also highlighted the need for organizations to incorporate voice amplification training to support minority leaders in their DEI efforts.

The positive feedback from minority leaders who have implemented voice amplification framing underscores the practical impact of Marsh’s research. Moving forward, Marsh plans to explore how moments of organizational conflict can be leveraged to drive change in DEI initiatives.

Overall, Marsh’s research provides a roadmap for navigating the complexities of DEI advocacy in the workplace and offers valuable insights for all leaders, particularly those from minority backgrounds. By amplifying the voices of marginalized employees, leaders can foster a more inclusive and supportive work environment without risking backlash.