Redefining DEI in Innovation: Lily Zheng on the FAIR Framework for Tech Transfer

What happens when workplace equity efforts get lost in performative gestures? Today we’re talking about the conventional approach to workplace equity and the DEI landscape. As organizations face growing political pressure and increasing scrutiny of DEI programs, a more effective and outcome-driven approach has never been more urgent.

Lily Zheng is a strategist, consultant and author who helps build fair, accessible, inclusive and representative organizations. They are the creator of the FAIR framework which has been featured in the Harvard Business Review and their book Fixing Fairness will be out soon.

In this conversation, Lily will break down the limitations of traditional DEI models and why the FAIR framework (Fairness, Access, Inclusion, Representation) is a more defensible and better way to go. We’ll get into the four core principles of FAIR: outcomes, systems, coalitions and win-win solutions and how they provide a strategic foundation for lasting change in the workplace.

This is especially timely for university tech transfer offices. With new federal directives calling into question DEI initiatives in research funding, many institutions are scrambling to adapt without sacrificing their core values of inclusivity and innovation. Lily will give practical advice on how to navigate this, reframe programs to stay compliant without losing impact.

In This Episode:

[01:47] Lily suggests the FAIR Framework to replace DEI. They wanted to set apart effective DEI work from the fluff. The plan was to distill what did work and what didn't and packed what did work into a new framework.

[04:50] FAIR speaks to the goal of the work. The letters stand for fairness, access, inclusion, and representation.

[05:24] There are four principles behind the framework including outcomes, systems, coalitions, and win-win.

[07:38] DEI turned into splintered single issue causes. 

[08:39] We are stronger together, and coalitions are a hallmark of DEI work.

[01:47] Lily suggests the FAIR Framework to replace DEI. They wanted to set apart effective DEI work from the fluff. The plan was to distill what did work and what didn't and packed what did work into a new framework.

[04:50] FAIR speaks to the goal of the work. The letters stand for fairness, access, inclusion, and representation.

[05:24] There are four principles behind the framework including outcomes, systems, coalitions, and win-win.

[07:38] DEI turned into splintered single issue causes. 

[08:39] We are stronger together, and coalitions are a hallmark of DEI work.

[20:33] Tech Transfer offices can focus on FAIR and understand the law. Follow the law and make any necessary adjustments to your program. Defend the highly legal and effective work you are doing.

[24:41] If you have to change your language, make sure you don't change your impact.

[26:32] There are still great ways to be compliant.

[27:57] We have more than enough capacity, skill, caring, and generosity to do this work. It's up to us to continue to sustain impact.

Resources: 

Lily Zheng

What Comes After DEI?

The FAIR Framework

Reconstructing DEI: A Practitioner's Workbook

Lily Zheng - LinkedIn

Lily Zheng - Instagram

Lily Zheng - Facebook