Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The American Institutes for Research® (AIR) has a drive to contribute to a more equitable world rooted in a framework that centers on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values. We can’t be true to our mission, much less achieve it, without a DEI perspective that encompasses the unique life and community experiences of our staff.

By fostering an environment that embraces diverse perspectives, abilities, racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds, ages, gender identities and expressions, educational experiences, and life stories, we provide every employee with opportunities to contribute a broad range of perspectives, along with the tools needed to drive innovation and engagement.

AIR maintains a work environment that respects all individuals’ dignity, and we consciously invest in diversity among staff members, senior leadership, and the board. Organization-wide and in every stage of our work, from strategy formulation through results assessment, we coach staff members to engage in intentional and comprehensive efforts to integrate DEI into their projects.

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By converting purpose to practice, we empower our people to achieve ambitious goals aligned with our core mission—an approach that also strengthens our performance as an employer.

Explore AIR's DEI journey

Principle

The Four Pillars of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at AIR

  • Positive work environment. Maximizing the potential of all staff and fostering a positive work culture in a dispersed work environment.
     
  • Cultural competence in our work. Delivering research and technical assistance services that reflect an understanding of the culture and world view of our clients, communities and audiences globally.
     
  • Mission-driven work. Building our reputation as a leader in the field of behavioral and social science research and technical assistance with a global focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
     
  • Growth and sustainability. Supporting growth and vitality of the institution to meet emerging needs globally.
     
The Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Standards for Projects, Research, and Operations (CLAS PRO) guide our implementation of cultural and linguistic competence. Read more about the CLAS PRO.

Cultural and Linguistic Competence (CLC)

Respect for and responsiveness to diverse cultural and linguistic needs are critical to AIR’s ability to fulfill our mission. Read more about how CLC is infused into the work that we do.
 

President's Message on Diversity and Inclusion

AIR CEO David Myers outlines his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 

CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion logo

CEO Action Pledge

AIR's David Myers joined more than 900 CEOs of the world’s leading companies and business organizations in signing the CEO Action Pledge for Diversity & Inclusion.

Practice

The AIR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council

The DEI Council is a strategic partner to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in driving DEI initiatives and benchmarking success against expectations and goals. Read more about the DEI Council.
 

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Voluntary, employee-led, and open to all staff members, AIR’s ERGs play a prominent role in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and executing our diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy. Read more about AIR’s eight ERGs.
 

Pipeline Partnership Program (P3)

A joint venture among AIR; Georgia State University in Atlanta; Howard University in Washington, D.C.; and the University of Texas at San Antonio, the P3 is intended to foster diversity in the next generation of research and technical assistance professionals. Read more about the P3.
 

Employees and Job Applicants

 As an organization, we are committed to meeting federal and state regulatory mandates and to ensuring nondiscrimination based on race, color, national origin, gender, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, religion or creed.

Build a Career at AIR

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone or call (202) 403-5000.

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Research and Resources

Results

Contact
Image of Karen Francis

Karen Francis

VP, Chief DEI Officer, and Interim AIR Equity Initiative Director

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at AIR

AIR's Employee Resource Groups

The AIR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council

Cultural and Linguistic Competence

AIR in the News

The Centre for Global Inclusion

Using GDEIB to Guide Our Way Toward DEI