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Just as the sheer richness of biodiversity serves as an indicator of healthy and high-functioning ecosystems, the relative richness of human diversity – in neighborhoods, workplaces, governments, and decision making bodies – indicates the health and functioning of our society.

To that end, Dr. Nicki Cagle is dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable society that uplifts human diversity and embraces justice, particularly environmental justice. Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) show up in all aspects of my work, including my pedagogy, community engagement, and research.

She is also particularly motivated by the rational for increasing the diversity of scientists offered by her Duke University colleague, Kathleen Donahue (2019), who writes: 

 “I ask to what extent should scientists aim to change the social environment in which science is conducted, because that will determine the kind of science that gets done. Certainly, bringing a greater diversity of scientists to the field, with different starting assumptions, motivating interests, and ways of thinking and interacting, can only strengthen innovation: after all, variation is necessary for change.”

Below you can find a list of the JEDI initiatives Cagle have launched, her JEDI publications & presentations, and the trainings she has received to guide and prepare me for the rewarding work of creating  systems of belonging where all people can achieve lives of meaning, value, and success, as they themselves define that. 

Want to learn more about culturally-inclusive pedagogy? Hover over the diversity tab above for more resources and visit the How to Create a Culturally Inclusive Syllabus Guide.

Related Media

• Environmental Justice and Eco-Experiences Part 1 (22 Apr 2021, Bridging the Gap Podcast)
• 90 Years of the Duke Forest Teaching and Research Laboratory (22 Apr 2021, The Duke Forest)
• DEEP Insights into Diversity and Equity (21 Apr 2021, Duke Environment)
• Durham Votes to Plant More Trees, Citing Racial Inequity (9 Dec 2020, IndyWeek)
• Indigenous Peoples and Native Plants (10 Oct 2020, We Still Teach FOX 32 Chicago)
• Nurturing “Environmental Identity” is Key for Increasing Diversity in Environmental Fields (Apr 2020, Duke Environment)
• Inspiring the Next Generation (Mar 2019, Duke Environment)

Related Service

• Advisor for Environmental Justice Book Club Girl Scout Gold Award Project (2020-2021) [Looking for young reader books that touch on Environmental Justice/Intersectional Environmentalism? Check out Anuradha Rao’s One Earth].
• Chair of Ad-Hoc NSOE Climate Survey Committee (2021 to present)
• Unearthing Duke Forest Working Group (2020 to present)
• Environmental Justice Campus Committee Faculty Adviser (2020 to present)
• NSOE Diversity & Inclusion Actionators (2016, 2020 to present)
• NSOE Ad-Hoc Environmental Justice Curriculum Committee (2019 to present)
• Faculty Advisor, DICE (2019 to present)
• Duke University Faculty Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee (2018 to present)

Related Training

Inclusive Pedagogy Publications

Caldwell, L. and Cagle N. L. 2021. Characteristics of nonformal K-12 pathway programs aiming to enhance diversity in Environmental Science. Journal of STEM Education.

Miao, E. and Cagle. N. L. 2020. The role of gender, race, and ethnicity in environmental identity development in undergraduate student narratives. Environmental Education Research https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2020.1717449

Cagle, N. L., Hadley, L., and N. Thompson. 2019. Undergraduate Diversity Pathways Strategic Planning Report, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University.

Cagle, N. L. 2019. Interpretation for diversity and inclusion. Legacy 30(4): 25-27.

Cagle, N. L., Caldwell, L., and Garcia, R. 2018. K-12 diversity pathway programs in the E-STEM fields: A review of existing programs and summary of unmet needs. Journal of STEM Education 19 (4):12-18.

Cagle, N. L.. 2018. K-12 Diversity Pathway Programs Strategic Planning Report, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University.

JEDI Resource Guides

Cagle, N. L. 2021. Inclusive Online Discussions. Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, online.

Cagle, N. L. with other contributors. How to Create a Culturally-inclusive Syllabus and Course. Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, online.

JEDI Presentations

Cagle, N. L. Culturally Inclusive Communication in the Workplace for DEL-MEMs. Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Online Workshop, 2 May 2021.

Cagle, N. L. & L. Shapiro-Garza. Environmental Justice at the Nicholas School of the Environment: An Exploration and Visit, Nicholas School of the Environment Board of Visitors, Duke University, 23 Apr 2021.

Cagle, N. L. & P. James. Racial Equity and Environment 4 part workshop series. DEEP Collaborative & Durham Environmental Coalition, Online Workshops, 19 Jan to 2 March 2021.

Cagle, N. L. Mentoring for Inclusivity. BioSTEM and DUML Scholars, Duke University, Online Workshop, 9 Mar 2021.

Cagle, N. L. Handling Uncomfortable Moments in the Classroom. NCSOE, Duke University, Online Workshop, 9 Feb 2021.

Cagle, N. L. Culturally Inclusive Pedagogy. Biology Department, Duke University, Online Workshop, 1-2 Dec 2020.

Cagle, N. L. Environmental Justice Initiatives in Durham-Chapel Hill Community. Trinity College House Course, Duke University, 10 Nov 2020.

Cagle, N. L. Culturally Inclusive Pedagogy with the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Foundational Training Series. Department of Population Health Studies, Duke University School of Medicine, Online Workshop, 5 Nov 2020.

Cagle, N. L. Discussion & Q&A on Culturally Inclusive Communication in the Workplace. Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Online Workshop, 15 Oct 2020.

Cagle, N. L. Culturally Inclusive Communication in the Workplace. Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Online Workshop, 17 Sep 2020.

Cagle, N. L. Culturally Inclusive Pedagogy. Global Health Faculty, Duke University, Online Workshop, 11 Sep 2020.

Cagle, N. L. Culturally Inclusive Pedagogy for Teaching Assistants and Graduate Student Instructors. Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Online Workshop, 12 Aug 2020.

Cagle, N. L. Culturally Inclusive Pedagogy for Natural Scientists. Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Online Workshop, 6 Aug 2020.

Cagle, N. L. Culturally Inclusive Pedagogy. Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Online Workshop, 29 & 31 Jul 2020.

Miao, R. (presenter) and Cagle, N. L (co-author). The role of gender, race, and ethnicity in environmental identity development in undergraduate student narratives. North American Congress for Conservation Biology, Society for Conservation Biology, Online, 28 July 2020.

Cagle, N. L. and Hadley, L. Culturally Inclusive Pedagogy and “Tree Racism” in Durham. Durham Public Schools (DPS), Durham, NC. 12 Nov 2019

Cagle, N. L. Diversity & Equity in Environmental Programs (DEEP) Community Case Study Workshop. North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, Durham, NC. 19 April 2018.

Cagle, N. L. GALS Science Career Day. Girls of Adventure for Leadership in Science, Durham, NC. 4 Apr 2018.

Cagle, N. L. Diversity & Equity in Environmental Programs (DEEP) Community Workshop. North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, Durham, NC. 21 Feb 2018.

Cagle, N. L. Diversity & Equity in Environmental Programs (DEEP) Community Meeting. Duke University, Durham, NC. 17 Nov 2017.

References:

Donahue, K. 2019. The Snail’s Charm. The American Naturalist, 193 (2): 000-000. DOI: 10.0186/700960