Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in research: best practices and expert insights from a Diversity & Inclusion Research editor
April 11, 2025
In this interview, we hear from Taylor Le Cui, Editor-in-Chief of Diversity & Inclusion Research. Taylor shares what first inspired him to pursue work in the DEI space, offering a personal perspective on the values that drive his leadership. We also discuss some of the most compelling and timely topics emerging in the field today and how the journal supports DEI research.
What inspired you to focus on DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) research?
My journey into DEI research is both personal and political. I was a lecturer at a Chinese university, and in 2015, I publicly came out as gay in my institution to promote queer visibility and support queer students. My involvement in queer activism and teaching about queer issues led to monitoring by Chinese authorities and disciplinary action from my institution. I was forbidden from discussing queer issues online and in my classroom (see my story covered by the South China Morning Post, "Teacher reveals high price of coming out as gay in China"). This experience prompted me to leave my job and move to New Zealand in 2017 to pursue a second PhD, focusing on the workplace experiences of gay academics in China.
During my time in New Zealand, I have also researched queer university students in China, Chinese queer international students in New Zealand, and the workplace climate for queer employees in New Zealand. These topics reflect my journey over a decade, approached from an insider researcher perspective.
Currently, I work on a Rainbow-focused program within a social service and research organization with an Indigenous background in Auckland. My role involves fostering an inclusive environment for Rainbow employees through research and an accreditation service. I collaborate with various New Zealand organizations across multiple sectors to evaluate workplace culture for Rainbow employees, help develop Rainbow-inclusive policies, and provide recommendations for improvement. My current work and research, much like my transnational background, involve crossing boundaries between academia and industry. My connections with both sectors have allowed me to use my research to make a social impact and drive positive change.
What challenges have you faced when conducting DEI research?
Conducting DEI research in the authoritarian context of China involves significant risks, including personal safety. My studies, based on interviews with 40 gay academics, explore their experiences managing their sexuality on campus, interacting with queer students, addressing queer issues in the classroom, and conducting queer research. These studies highlight how queerness is surveilled and censored, and how heteronormativity is institutionalized in Chinese higher education.
In addition to publishing my research in international journals, I engage with global media platforms to comment on issues in the context of China’s shrinking queer space. Like many international China scholars, I face potential risks when conducting critical China studies and challenging official ideologies. This risk is particularly high for Chinese citizens and those with families in China. Balancing courage and self-censorship, along with navigating the challenges faced by Chinese queer transnational migrants, is undoubtedly difficult, yet it is also an empowering and deeply fulfilling journey.
Could you share an example of an interesting DEI research study published in your journal?
One notable article in the journal Diversity & Inclusion Research is Jingjing Huang’s study titled “Political Opportunity, Threats, Strategies of LGBT+ Student Movement in China.” This study examines the strategies adopted by LGBT+ student groups in Chinese universities and how increased authoritarianism during Xi Jinping’s presidency has influenced the LGBT+ student movement. The author outlines three phases to demonstrate the changing political climate over a decade and the evolving strategies of LGBT+ university students.
This study is particularly interesting to me due to my own previous experiences as a queer individual in Chinese education. It fills important gaps in education, political studies, and sociology. While much scholarship focuses on queer students in the global north, queer students in China are underexplored and often seen as victims. This paper provides a deep description of power dynamics in Chinese universities and showcases queer students’ agency and resistance. As a Chinese citizen studying Chinese queer issues overseas, I understand the immense courage it took for the author to critically challenge China's repressive politics.
What are some recent topics you are particularly interested in or would encourage researchers to submit to the journal?
A significant recent political change affecting global DEI researchers and practitioners is Donald Trump's second term as President and his anti-DEI agenda. This political shift impacts organizations in the United States and globally, leading to increased backlash and stigmatization of DEI efforts. However, it is also a time for DEI researchers and practitioners to uphold our values and resist the political climate.
Critical research questions include: What discourse techniques are used to stigmatize and attack DEI initiatives? How does the anti-DEI backlash affect organizations, employees, DEI practitioners, and consumers? How do organizations and individuals respond to this challenging political climate? The journal Diversity & Inclusion Research welcomes research addressing these issues. Regarding article types, the journal not only publishes Research Articles but also a type called Practice and Policy, with a word limit of 5000 words. This type of article offers views from practice, providing evidence-based and state-of-the-art knowledge on aspects of practice or policy that have implications for EDI practitioners.
How does the journal support DEI research?
As editor-in-chief, I am privileged to support global researchers and practitioners in sharing their knowledge and practice. Diversity and inclusion are not just areas of work but principles embedded in knowledge production. Guided by this principle, I collaborate with an editorial board comprising diverse expertise, identities, and backgrounds. The journal aims to keep research open, diverse, and vibrant, encouraging submissions from the Global South, addressing intersectional issues, and supporting researchers and practitioners from minoritized backgrounds. We strive to bridge the gap between academia and industry, building community and facilitating opportunities for change.
To learn more about the journal Diversity & Inclusion Research and how to submit please visit our website.
