Diversity Experience Index Informs Sense of Belonging

Abstract

This research project was executed to demonstrate a new approach to increasing Sense of Belonging of individuals to groups to which they belong.  The foundation of the approach lies in the application of concepts from a branch of math called Graph Theory.  Graph Theory provides concepts and calculations that can be applied to understand the structures that arise when elements interact in a network.  This project considers individual humans who interact when they come together to participate in some activity.  In particular, we will apply this analytical methodology to UFM, Unaccompanied Foreign Minors, children who arrive without adult supervision or guidance from foreign countries to build a new life in their new country (in our case, Spain).  One goal of the project is to increase the Sense of Belonging of these children to other children in the program with whom they do not share common characteristics (Age, Country of Origin, and Time Spent in Spain).  We use the concept of “Diversity Experience Index”, or DEI, that shows for any individual, the number of interactions they have had with other individuals with particular characteristics.  A student’s DEI values can then suggest future interactions in the program to achieve the goal of increasing their Sense of Belonging to other students in the program.