perspectives with practical insights. The resulting course proposal subsequently won immediate support from Esade’s MBA management team and its Identity and Mission Unit.” In terms of content, the elective includes classes both rooted in the past (on the history of slavery) and firmly in the present-day (on algorithmic bias). Is the teaching/direction of the elective handled by Esade faculty, external experts, or a combination of the two? “It’s a combination of the two. Our goal was to assemble a top-notch team of faculty and experts for the course. We found considerable expertise internally, particularly in areas such as algorithmic bias and intersectionality. Additionally, we aimed to include outstanding participants who could contribute deep knowledge and first-hand experiences regarding issues of race and discrimination. “This approach ensured a wide spectrum of perspectives, ranging from Zimbabwe and South Africa to India and the Netherlands. This level of diversity was crucial, given that discussions at the time, and even today, are often dominated by materials coming from the US and, to a lesser extent, the UK.” How does the elective make use of virtual reality (VR) technology? “We emphasised the importance of offering a hands‑on, experiential means of addressing racial issues. While we initially believed this could be achieved through a combination of practitioners and faculty, discussions with experts highlighted the potential of integrating VR technology into the classroom to enhance this experience. “To this end, we reached out to a small, yet highly innovative firm based in the Netherlands, renowned for their expertise in diversity and inclusion and their recent advancements in VR materials. After conducting our own trials, we deemed it a worthwhile endeavour. Two of the firm’s founders then conducted a session where students were given VR headsets to immerse themselves in scenarios depicting discrimination. This allowed them to experience the impact first-hand and observe others’ reactions. The experience proved profoundly impactful.” How does the elective draw on collaborations with industry? “We are a business school and our students will be managers with a huge potential to transform the very fabric of the companies and organisations they will work for and interact with. Having direct participation from companies was therefore important to us and we invited an expert from one of the ‘Big Four’ consulting firms to lead a session on cutting‑edge inclusion practices across various industries. Prior to this session, we worked with an industry expert to
BIOGRAPHY Joan Rodón Mòdol is the dean of Esade Business School. He first joined Esade in 2000 and has previously held the positions of deputy dean of research and faculty, associate dean of the bachelor’s in business administration and head of the school’s Department of Information Systems. Rodón’s areas of interest and research focus on the creation, evolution and governance of digital infrastructures and platforms. He holds a PhD in management sciences and an MBA from Esade, in addition to having graduated as a computer engineer from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech
32 | Ambition | JUNE 2024
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