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Diversity for sale?

Author: Trine Askholm

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Diversity, Equality, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging… these are all words we hear at work and in public debates. Let’s call this ‘D.E.I’ for short. 

Workplaces need advice to do better in this domain, and this demand is answered by people inside organizations, but also by associations and companies who offer expertise and advice about it. We could even say that today there is a ‘market for DEI’. 

But: What does it mean if values and morals around DEI are, in a way, ‘for sale’? What do you do when what you believe in clashes with what the customer wants?

What is it like to do a job in which you are facing resistance to your purpose and values or morals both on and off the clock? Who are the DEI consultants in Denmark? And what’s the future of this market and of DEI in the workplace? 

In each episode, you will meet interesting guests who will shed a different light on the research together with the researcher in the studio.

About the research
The researchers have been investigating the market for DEI consultants in Denmark. This research project has generated valuable insights into the Danish market and the practices of DEI consultants. The researchers have been exploring the market's particularities, as many providers of expertise in this area are driven by strong values and a personal commitment to tackling the grand challenges of inequality and discrimination. The findings have culminated in a project report and this podcast series. 

The researchers are: Associate Professor Florence Villesèche
Postdoc Caroline Demeyère PhD Fellow Flora Antoniazzi

This podcast has been produced with Copenhagen Business School and supported by the Carlsberg Foundation.


Research project: “Denmark's DEI Consulting Landscape: Where Ethical Values Meet Market Realities.

The editorial staff consisted of producer and host Trine Askholm and co-producer Britta Ravn. 

Podcast artcover made by Talinolou
4 Episodes
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In this first episode, Trine Askholm interviews the lead researcher behind the report and research, Florence Villesèche who is an Associate Professor and Vice-head of Department for Research at Copenhagen Business School. This episode’s guest is Thandi Dyani, who has more than 20 years of experience in this field. They set out to answer the leading question of this episode: Can anyone become a DEI consultant?We dive into the research about DEI consultants in Denmark, their prerequisites and backgrounds to do the work they do. Who are these DEI consultants in Denmark? And are they in fact diverse? Do the organizations buying the DEI services know what they need to change their corporate culture and incorporate more DEI in their companies? What problems or issues do managers and leaders usually have when reaching out to DEI consultants for assistance. Guest: Thandi DyaniResearcher: Florence VillesècheProducer and host: Trine AskholmCo-Producer: Britta Ravn Research project: “Denmark's DEI Consulting Landscape: Where Ethical Values Meet Market Realities.”This podcast has been produced with Copenhagen Business School and supported by the Carlsberg Foundation.
In this episode, you will meet PhD Fellow, Flora Antoniazzi, who is one of the researchers behind the report in conversation with activist Moussa Mchangama.We look at some of the main findings of the research and dive into the background behind the work of DEI consultants and the activistic roots and history. We look at the supposed differences between being an activist and getting paid for your services. Trine Askholm poses questions regarding morals, values and resistance in this field of work.And finally, we find answers to the theme of this episode: How far are we from DEI work being considered as business as usual? Guest: Moussa Mchangama Researcher: Flora AntoniazziProducer and host: Trine AskholmCo-Producer: Britta Ravn Research project: “Denmark's DEI Consulting Landscape: Where Ethical Values Meet Market Realities.”This podcast has been produced with Copenhagen Business School and supported by the Carlsberg Foundation.
In this episode, Trine Askholm is conversation with the researcher and postdoc, Caroline Demeyère and strategic leadership consultant, Marianne Egelund Siig, regarding the resistance people working with DEI face every day.You will learn about the types of the resistance the consultants are faced with. The degree of the resistance and exactly how many of the participants in the research project experiences resistance in their DEI work. We dive into the tactics to counter the resistance before and during the selling phase, the service delivery phase with the client and after the delivery of the service/product. We talk about how resistance is both a hindrance to the work of progress and yet can also be perceived as a good thing. Specifically, we look at how the resistance differs in the DEI field compared to other fields and sectors.Guest: Marianne Egelund Siig Researcher: Caroline DemeyèreProducer and host: Trine AskholmCo-Producer: Britta Ravn Research project: “Denmark's DEI Consulting Landscape: Where Ethical Values Meet Market Realities.”This podcast has been produced with Copenhagen Business School and supported by the Carlsberg Foundation.
In this final episode, we look at the future of the DEI market together with researcher and PhD Fellow, Flora Antoniazzi and consultant, Lynn Roseberry.What are the rules and regulations currently in this field and what does the future hold in standardization and regulations from the EU. For the consultants and for the companies.We look at the impact of change coming with regulations to a market and discuss the hindrances to this progress. Looking at “pink-washing” and how diversity is being used as a marketing and recruitment tool and what are the tools going forward.Guest: Lynn RoseberryResearcher: Flora AntoniazziProducer and host: Trine AskholmCo-Producer: Britta Ravn Research project: “Denmark's DEI Consulting Landscape: Where Ethical Values Meet Market Realities.”This podcast has been produced with Copenhagen Business School and supported by the Carlsberg Foundation.LinksLige Adgang: Etnisk Minoritetsstress reportBusiness Danmark: Earmarked PaternityLGBTQI+: Ny rapport om diskriminationHarvard Law School: Anti ESG-report