Digital Allyship: Promoting Inclusion in Academia through an Allyship-Based Video Intervention

Abstract

In the context of increasing diversity in higher education, students from minority groups often face challenges that negatively affect their sense of inclusion and belonging within the university community. This study explores the impact of allyship-based video interventions in enhancing feelings of inclusion in a diverse group of university students (N = 63). A betweensubjects design was employed to compare the effects of an allyship-based video against a control condition video focusing on general campus friendships. The analyses show that students exposed to the allyship video reported significantly higher feelings of inclusion compared to those who viewed the control video, with effects being more pronounced among non-white participants. Additionally, the analyses found no significant moderating effects of socioeconomic background and perceived message credibility. The findings support claims about the effectiveness of digital video interventions and the positive impact of allyship. Despite acknowledging some limitations, it is concluded that the present study contributes to the broader discourse on diversity and inclusion by highlighting the value of allyship-based video interventions in promoting inclusivity in academia.