Clusivity

Clusivity is a term used to describe the practice or quality of creating and sustaining inclusive environments in which people from diverse backgrounds can participate on an equal footing. While "clusivity" is less standardized than "inclusivity," some writers use it to emphasize the active steps organizations take to prevent exclusion and to knit diverse groups together. It appears in discussions of education, workplaces, community organizations, and public policy, where the goal is to reduce barriers to participation and to foster a sense of belonging.

Core dimensions of clusivity include access, representation, participation, and safety. Access entails removing physical, logistical, or informational barriers; representation involves diverse identities in leadership and decision-making; participation covers opportunities to contribute ideas and be heard; and safety, including psychological safety, protects individuals from discrimination or harassment. Practices commonly associated with clusivity include universal design, multilingual communication, adaptive accommodations, inclusive curricula, recruitment and retention efforts, and monitoring of outcomes to identify inequities.

Measuring clusivity is challenging; indicators may include demographic diversity, equal opportunity metrics, retention and engagement rates, user or participant satisfaction, and audits of discriminatory practices. Critics warn against tokenism and performative gestures that create the appearance of inclusion without substantive changes. Resource constraints, competing priorities, and conflicts between universal access and local norms can complicate implementation. Nonetheless, proponents argue that genuine clusivity supports social legitimacy, innovation, and better decision-making by incorporating a wider range of perspectives.

Because inclusiveness has become central to organizational and societal aims, clusivity is often discussed alongside related concepts such as diversity, equity, and inclusion, accessible design, and equity-focused policy making.