TEACHx 2026

Many institutions articulate strong commitments to equity, inclusion, and belonging. Yet disparities in outcomes often persist, even within organizations explicitly oriented toward social justice. Why?


Drawing from mixed-methods research on the influence of culturally responsive praxis on academic engagement in higher education, this lightning talk explores the critical distinction between equity intentions and equity infrastructure. This tension suggests that goodwill and inclusive values alone are insufficient without structural alignment. Using a systems lens, this session introduces the concept of equity infrastructure: the policies, design choices, assessment practices, and accountability mechanisms that translate values into measurable outcomes.

Participants will be invited to reconsider how equity shows up, not just in mission statements or interpersonal practice, but in the architecture of learning environments.