Diversity
Where you make up personas within the text for teaching examples, reflect the diversity found within RMIT University, as well as the broader Australian and international communities. Consider including:
- culturally and gender diverse names for characters
- they/them pronouns, along with she/her and he/his
- diverse:
- physiological or mental functional capacity
- genders, sexes and sexualities
- cultures, traditions and nationalities
- ages
- socio-economic backgrounds.[1]
However, when referring to individuals, either real or made up, carefully consider whether characteristics such as gender, cultural/national background, LGBQTI+ identity or disability identity are relevant to the context. The RMIT University Guide to Inclusive Language provides advice.[2]
Examples
Brian is a Chinese-Australian student…
- Does this imply that the student is different to the norm? Or are you describing a Chinese-Australian experience, so Brian’s cultural and national identity are relevant?
A female magistrate presided…
- Are you emphasising the perspective of a magistrate from a marginalised group? Or is the gender of the magistrate irrelevant to the context?
There are no right answers – just be sure to consider the impact of your language!
- Council of Australian University Librarians. (2022). Open Educational Resources Collective publishing workflow: Check against inclusion and diversity standards. https://caul.libguides.com/oer-collective-publishing-workflow/review/check-inclusion-diversity CC-BY 4.0 ↵
- RMIT University. (n.d.). Guide to inclusive language. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/lgbtiq ↵
