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Affinity and Allyship Groups to Advance Inclusion in Postsecondary Institutions: A Systematic Scoping Review

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Title: Affinity and Allyship Groups to Advance Inclusion in Postsecondary Institutions: A Systematic Scoping Review
Language: English
Authors: Emiko J. Muraki (ORCID 0000-0001-9534-6538), Elaine J. Atay, Leah Chadwick, Gwen van der Wijk, Camille M. Mori, Adam T. Murry, Deinera Exner-Cortens
Source: Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. 2025 18(1):S125-S143.
Availability: American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: College Environment, Minority Group Students, Minority Group Teachers, Social Support Groups, Gender Identity, LGBTQ People, Disabilities, Race, Ethnicity, Social Bias, Racism, Gender Bias, Immigrants
DOI: 10.1037/dhe0000543
ISSN: 1938-8926
1938-8934
Abstract: Postsecondary institutions seeking to foster inclusion for historically excluded and marginalized faculty, staff, and students often aim to create supportive spaces through dialogue around the experiences of one's identity. One approach to create these spaces is through an affinity and allyship (A&A) group model (i.e., groups that offer supportive spaces for members of historically marginalized groups to build solidarity and safety, and for members of dominant groups to learn about allyship, respectively). However, information on A&A groups is spread across diverse literatures, and there is no summary on the development, implementation, and evaluation of these groups. In this systematic scoping review, we summarize research on A&A group purposes, implementation, and outcomes. We searched four databases for A&A group studies. Included articles examined theories, frameworks, and/or implementation and outcomes of A&A groups. The present review includes 48 articles that met the inclusion criteria (affinity group n = 27, allyship group n = 16, both groups n = 5). Affinity groups generally focused on building connections and mutual support among people with a shared identity or experience, whereas allyship groups focused more on learning about and adopting allyship behaviors. These differences in group purpose were reflected in the groups' content and delivery methods. Although most articles in the review conducted an evaluation, and generally reported positive outcomes, more thorough evaluation is needed to determine the efficacy of such groups and the long-term benefits of group participation. We conclude by providing recommendations for practice and implementation of A&A groups in higher education settings.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506177
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Affinity and Allyship Groups to Advance Inclusion in Postsecondary Institutions: A Systematic Scoping Review
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Emiko+J%2E+Muraki%22">Emiko J. Muraki</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9534-6538">0000-0001-9534-6538</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Elaine+J%2E+Atay%22">Elaine J. Atay</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Leah+Chadwick%22">Leah Chadwick</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gwen+van+der+Wijk%22">Gwen van der Wijk</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Camille+M%2E+Mori%22">Camille M. Mori</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Adam+T%2E+Murry%22">Adam T. Murry</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Deinera+Exner-Cortens%22">Deinera Exner-Cortens</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Diversity+in+Higher+Education%22"><i>Journal of Diversity in Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 18(1):S125-S143.
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  Data: American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Environment%22">College Environment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Minority+Group+Students%22">Minority Group Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Minority+Group+Teachers%22">Minority Group Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Support+Groups%22">Social Support Groups</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+Identity%22">Gender Identity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22LGBTQ+People%22">LGBTQ People</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Disabilities%22">Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Race%22">Race</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ethnicity%22">Ethnicity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Bias%22">Social Bias</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Racism%22">Racism</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+Bias%22">Gender Bias</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Immigrants%22">Immigrants</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1037/dhe0000543
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  Data: 1938-8926<br />1938-8934
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Postsecondary institutions seeking to foster inclusion for historically excluded and marginalized faculty, staff, and students often aim to create supportive spaces through dialogue around the experiences of one's identity. One approach to create these spaces is through an affinity and allyship (A&A) group model (i.e., groups that offer supportive spaces for members of historically marginalized groups to build solidarity and safety, and for members of dominant groups to learn about allyship, respectively). However, information on A&A groups is spread across diverse literatures, and there is no summary on the development, implementation, and evaluation of these groups. In this systematic scoping review, we summarize research on A&A group purposes, implementation, and outcomes. We searched four databases for A&A group studies. Included articles examined theories, frameworks, and/or implementation and outcomes of A&A groups. The present review includes 48 articles that met the inclusion criteria (affinity group n = 27, allyship group n = 16, both groups n = 5). Affinity groups generally focused on building connections and mutual support among people with a shared identity or experience, whereas allyship groups focused more on learning about and adopting allyship behaviors. These differences in group purpose were reflected in the groups' content and delivery methods. Although most articles in the review conducted an evaluation, and generally reported positive outcomes, more thorough evaluation is needed to determine the efficacy of such groups and the long-term benefits of group participation. We conclude by providing recommendations for practice and implementation of A&A groups in higher education settings.
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  Data: 2026
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      – SubjectFull: College Environment
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      – SubjectFull: Minority Group Students
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      – SubjectFull: Minority Group Teachers
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      – SubjectFull: Social Support Groups
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