The MPN DEI Survey

Understanding the Shifting DEIB Landscape

In light of the recent DEI backlash in the U.S. and its ripple effects on global strategies, The MPN sought to understand how these shifts are impacting workplaces worldwide. We invited professionals to participate in a brief, 5-question anonymous survey to share their perspectives on the evolving DEI landscape. The survey ran from 7 February to 31 March 2025, capturing 548 perspectives from across multiple regions. The insights gathered aim to help organisations, practitioners, and leaders better navigate emerging trends and challenges in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). This pulse survey offers a valuable, real-time snapshot of how professionals at different stages of their careers are experiencing and responding to DEIB developments

View Roundtable Insights

Pulse Survey Insights

The majority of respondents were from Australia (82%), with a broad spread across job levels — the largest groups being individual contributors (35%) and middle managers (29%)
58% reported a decrease in their organisation’s focus on DEI since the U.S. backlash
This suggests that many organisations have reduced their emphasis on DEI initiatives following the political and media backlash in the U.S., indicating a broader global trend of scaling back DEI effort
68% anticipate a significant decrease in DEI-related funding and resources over the next year
This highlights concerns that DEI efforts will be deprioritised, leading to fewer resources allocated to initiatives and possibly impacting the scope and effectiveness of DEI programmes.
44% said their organisations are scaling back DEI communication and initiatives
This reflects a trend where organisations are not only reducing DEI resources but also cutting back on communication and outreach, potentially diminishing the visibility and impact of their DEI work.
79% expect a reduction in public DEI commitments as the most significant shift ahead
This points to the anticipation of organisations retreating from visible public statements or commitments to DEI, as they may fear backlash or want to avoid political risk, focusing more on internal initiative
Only 18% remain public and proactive in promoting DEI efforts
This highlights a stark contrast between a small minority of organisations that are continuing to openly and actively promote DEI and the larger trend of retreating from such commitments.
88% personally believe the rollback of DEI is a step backward
This reflects the belief among respondents that scaling back DEI efforts is detrimental, reinforcing the idea that DEI initiatives are essential for progress in equity, inclusion, and organisational culture.
This indicates that the survey responses were predominantly from Australian professionals, with a good representation of employees at various levels within organisations, ensuring a broad range of perspectives.
The survey was promoted through multiple channels, including our community newsletter, the SEWF Global Newsletter, People and Planet First Global, SECNA, WASEC, SENVIC, and across our social media platforms, ensuring it reached a wide audience.
The survey reveals a global ripple effect, with organisations increasingly deprioritising DEI, shifting from public commitment to cautious, internal-only approaches.
While the survey sample provides valuable insights from a broad range of professionals, it should be noted that the results may not be fully representative of the global population or reflect the experiences and perspectives of all industries or regions worldwide

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The MPN DEI Survey

Understanding the Shifting DEIB Landscape

Pulse Survey Insights

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