Storytelling in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) programs

This presentation discusses the importance of a continuous improvement cycle grounded in participant experiences for effective organizational learning. The presenters share how they utilized narrative storytelling methods to foreground participant experiences in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) programs and analyzed the data alongside facilitator reflections to inform facilitator capability development related to EDI. Results from several hundred participant responses indicate that flexible and responsive facilitation, as well as encouraging diverse views, were the most helpful aspects of program facilitation. The study also identified areas for improvement, including increasing peer-to-peer learning and adopting flexible workshop structures. By prioritizing participant feedback, specific facilitator behaviors and competencies such as partnership, trust-building, pre-evaluation research, and co-creation were identified to support optimal learning experiences. These behaviors can benefit other types of programming and drive organizational effectiveness. The narrative use of participant data is a storytelling shift that can promote greater equity in the feedback cycle.