Bridging the Data Gap for a more Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive Future in Geotechnical Engineering: Survey Design and Ethical Considerations

ABSTRACT: As the benefits of increased Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) in the geotechnical engineering field become more apparent, organizations need to find ways to collect representative data from their members/employees, most often through the use of surveys. The combined demographic and experiential data collected within these surveys provides valuable information to enable organizations to implement changes that promote EDI efforts, attracting candidates, enhancing performance and improving retention for a diverse range of employees. To maximize the value of the information collected, surveys must be designed such that the right information is being collected in the right way with the right intentions. This paper introduces the motivation for EDI initiatives, guidelines for the implementation of a successful EDI cycle, the technical foundations of survey design and specific considerations that should be made when developing an EDI survey.