September 13, 2023
2:00 p.m. E.T.
This event is for invited researchers only.
Scholar presenter:
Melanie Prengler, University of Virginia
Seed generators:
Brianna Caza, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Dolly Chugh, New York University
Topic:
From Crisis to Transformation: Understanding the Evolution of Ally Identity after Failure
Talk description:
This paper explores how dominant group members identify and respond to their own allyship failures in ways that help them continue combating discrimination at work. Through extensive interviews with 46 dominant group employees who had been recognized for their engagement in allyship, we observed a) a meaningful distinction between ally identity and allyship behavior, b) the process by which dominant group members reconcile their allyship failure with their ally identity, and c) the formative role that allyship failure plays in ally development. In doing so, we clarify that dominant group members can identify as an ally while engaging in allyship imperfectly, articulate the process by which dominant group members process allyship failure, and show how this process has substantive implications for their identities and for the efficacy of their allyship moving forward.
Research is the heart of Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS), and we want to make sure that we support each other in developing high quality research. To that end, we created the Adderley Positive Research Incubator for sharing and encouraging POS-related research ideas that are at various stages of development.
Learn more about the Adderley Positive Research Incubators here and direct questions about individual sessions to cpo-events@umich.edu.