Ensuring a sense of belonging is key to retention, and the association can assist with culture change to support justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. There have been several high-profile and, no doubt, many more low-profile departures of diverse academic staff because of discrimination. The below illustration captures the experience of many under-represented people when hired into organizations that have not changed culture.

The association has a responsibility to hold the administration accountable for: fostering a climate of belonging; ensuring equitable work assignments; valuing formal and informal service work and non-traditional scholarship, including non-traditional forms of knowledge dissemination; and supporting collaboration on research efforts. The association can, through education and grievances, address discrimination in the workplace. It can also help promote an inclusive environment through strengthening its own equity work on campus.