The Diversity Principle

by David B. Oppenheimer

2026 · Yale University Press

The surprising two-hundred-year history of diversity in education, commerce, and science from the scholar the New Yorker dubbed America's "diversity detective" As a war on diversity upends government, corporate, and education policies, the history of the idea of diversity has never been more important. In this contrarian book, David B. Oppenheimer, a diversity skeptic turned admirer, chronicles how diversity became a foundational value of higher education over the last two hundred years, how it evolved as it was adopted in commerce and science, and the implications of the current backlash. The diversity principle--the idea that people with different backgrounds, experiences, identities, and viewpoints produce better work by engaging with one another--was a core tenet of the first modern research university, founded in Germany in 1810. It was the inspiration for John Stuart Mill's On Liberty, a touchstone of academic freedom; a hallmark of Charles Eliot's remaking of Harvard in the late nineteenth century to promote the "clash of ideas"; and a foundation of the twentieth century efforts toward equality of Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Pauli Murray. In telling the story of the diversity principle through the experiences of these and other remarkable thinkers, Oppenheimer argues for affirming diversity as a central value of education and an essential ingredient for a robust intellectual and political culture.

Authenticity, Identity, and Being Yourself at Work (HBR Work Smart Series)

by Harvard Business Review, Susan David, Talisa Lavarry, Lily Zheng, Melody Wilding

2024 · Harvard Business Press

Just be yourself, right? We're complex people. Professionally, we're recent graduates, employees, star performers, and first-time managers. But we're also best friends, devoted family members, sports fans, pet parents, social justice activists, or any other combination of these and other traits. How much of ourselves—from cultural self-expression, to thinking style and beliefs, to gender identity—should we bring to the workplace? Authenticity, Identity, and Being Yourself at Work is filled with practical advice from HBR experts who can help you answer this and other questions like: What does authenticity really mean at work? How do I disclose personal information without oversharing? In what ways can I overcome feelings of imposter syndrome? What should I do when who I am conflicts with those around me? This book will help you figure out how much of "you" to bring to work so that you feel more comfortable and confident in who you are and what you're bringing to your career. Rise faster with quick reads, real-life stories, and expert advice. The HBR Work Smart Series features the topics that matter to you most in your early career, including being yourself at work, collaborating with (sometimes difficult) colleagues and bosses, managing your mental health, and weighing major job decisions. Each title includes chapter recaps and links to video, audio, and more. The HBR Work Smart Series books are your practical guides to stepping into your professional life and moving forward with confidence.