diversités

Diversity, or diversités in French usage, refers to variation within a system. In sociology and cultural studies, it concerns differences among people—such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, language, disability, and nationality. In biology, diversity expands to variation at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. Across fields, diversity is often treated as an asset when differences are acknowledged and equitably integrated, while intersecting with power relations and historical inequality.

Forms of diversity include demographic diversity (who is present), cultural and linguistic diversity (ways of thinking and communicating), and cognitive or functional diversity (problem-solving styles and skill sets). In ecology, diversity encompasses genetic variation, species richness, and functional diversity. Researchers use metrics such as representation indicators in social contexts and diversity indices in ecology to describe and compare diversities.

Practices that promote inclusion and equity aim to enable diverse groups to participate fully and benefit from institutions. Evidence suggests that diversity can enhance creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving, but positive outcomes depend on inclusive leadership, fair access to resources, and active anti-discrimination efforts. Debates continue about measurement, implementation, and the risk of tokenism or superficial labeling. Overall, diversities are seen as integral to many contemporary analyses of societies and ecosystems.