Agency, Advocacy, Positionality: Bringing an Equity Mindset to Higher Education Assessment.

The article focuses on the Equity Action Makers team's research within the Grand Challenges Project, which aims to advance equity-centered assessment practices in higher education by leveraging assessment data to promote inclusivity and justice. Through interviews with assessment professionals across diverse roles, the study identifies three key themes—agency, advocacy, and positionality—that shape how equity is pursued in assessment work. Agency involves empowering professionals and stakeholders to act strategically for equity; advocacy emphasizes mentoring and involving those assessed in interpreting data to foster inclusive decision-making; and positionality reflects the challenges of navigating equity work amid polarized environments. The findings highlight the importance of collaborative, reflective, and empathetic approaches to assessment that support equitable opportunities and outcomes for all students.