PS5042: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT WORK (2026-2027)

The case for EDI in the workplace has been made and the business case for EDI is clear: Organisations who embrace EDI perform better. A diverse and inclusive workplace creates a sense of belonging thus driving connectedness leading to increased resilience and trust, both of which help positively impact on engagement, retention and reducing the risk of burnout.

This course will help students to understand the role of Organisational Psychology in tackling the issues related to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

We will define equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace, set out the role psychology can play in creating an EDI culture as well as discuss the impact of a lack of EDI in the workplace. We will discuss the Equality Act 2020 and its implications for businesses.

We will explore the importance of creating an EDI culture and the positive impact it has on developing talent, recruitment and retention of employees as well as creating a sense of openness and belonging which is linked to increased levels of performance, engagement and motivation. We will discuss ways that Organisational Psychologists currently support organisations to create an inclusive and diverse workplace; a place where people want to work.

We will consider the role of leadership in developing an EDI workplace culture. What leaders say and do impacts on inclusivity and whether employees feel included, are able to speak up, go the extra mile and collaborate; all of which are linked to increasing organisational performance.

We will explore some common neurodiverse conditions and discuss the impact of neurodiversity in the workplace e.g. recruitment and engagement. We will also explore the role of the Organisational Psychologist in supporting neurodiverse individuals at work.

We will define the challenges related to race and ethnicity in the workplace and explore some of the positive action taken to support diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

We will explore gender related issues in relation to EDI and how women are often treated differently in relation to pay, promotion opportunities and board appointments and how psychology and psychologists are currently tackling these issues.

We will consider LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace and the lack of confidence employees have in sharing sexual preference due to concerns about the lack of opportunities or discriminative behaviour. We will also see to understand how psychology and Organisational Psychologists can support an LGBTQ+ workforce to have equal opportunities.

We will reflect on the role psychology and Organisational Psychologists can play in overcoming age discrimination or unfavourable treatment of older workers in the workplace e.g. a lack of opportunities for older workers and a limited support for those nearing retirement.

We will explore what is meant by mental health and the impact mental ill health may have on the individual and the workplace. We will clarify some of the issues individual with mental ill health have and the role of leadership in creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. We will also discuss some of the available workplace interventions designed by Organisational Psychologists to help support individuals, teams, leaders and organisations.