Thank you for donating to the JEDI Circle: Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion! My name is Dr. Elisa Roberson and I have served as a DEI investigator, primary researcher, university faculty, college associate dean, writer, and lecturer. I am a proud PRIDE️‍❤️ Mom and zealous advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

DISRUPTORS force and shake up antiquated behaviors, interrupting the status quo; for me, being a disruptor means leveraging my recognizably privileged voice to amplify the conversations of people around the world who are rendered voiceless by the arbitrary status hierarchies into which they were born. These arbitrary hierarchies do not reflect actual differences in ability or competence, but rather perceived differences that are influenced by their society. Privilege can be visible and/or invisible assets that are unearned which can be spent as easier access.

This gofundme will raise funds for primary, in-country research. I will travel across international countries that are currently overcoming obstacles around JEDI principles. Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion “looks'' differently between one country and another. People are marginalized for different reasons, but the result of decreased access to advancement remains. The inclusion needs of people who share an identity demographic are multi-faceted. For example, characteristics include but are not limited to the following: ethnicity, sexual orientation, affordable access to higher education, age, disability status, race, religion, gender, and/or socioeconomic status.

Research Questions:

Why funding is needed:

Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion that can result in justice for marginalized people has been the core focus of my entire career. This research expedition represents the capstone project of my efforts to expand a JEDI Circle to include marginalized voices from around the world.

Travel for in-country research will be conducted in the United Arab Emirates, Nepal, India, South Korea, Japan, China, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Bhutan, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

I have earned a certificate from Cornell University's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program. I am Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, working in universities and colleges for over 25 years in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Please feel welcome to follow my podcasts during the project for details, photos, and travel log.