The Inclusive Professional Framework for Societies: Changing Mental Models to Promote Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive STEM Systems Change

This document is a peer-reviewed research article from Frontiers in Sociology titled The Inclusive Professional Framework for Societies (IPF: Societies): A Roadmap for Change. It introduces the IPF: Societies model developed through the ACCESS+ Initiative to help STEM professional societies create systemic, sustainable diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) change.

Key points include:

• Purpose – Provide a framework for societies to identify and address mental models, structures, policies, and practices that impede DEI progress.
• Four Levels of Change – Individual, Interpersonal, Organizational, and Societal, with strategies for each.
• Core Competencies – Identity awareness, intercultural mindfulness, and inclusive relationships as foundational skills for DEI leadership.
• Application in ACCESS+ – Used in conjunction with the Equity Environmental Scanning Tool (EEST) and Community of Practice to guide societies in assessing their current state, planning DEI reforms, and implementing change.
• Intended Impact – Support societies in embedding DEI into governance, operations, and culture, while promoting accountability and transparency.