Authors: Lily Zheng

What: This book offers a rigorous and practical guide to doing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work effectively. Lily Zheng draws on academic research, organisational theory, historical insight, and lived experience to reposition DEI as a discipline rooted in results rather than appearances.

Why it is important: During a time of increased scrutiny and justifiable scepticism around corporate DEI efforts, Zheng’s book offers a recalibration. She articulates why so many initiatives fail: poor strategy, lack of trust, and absence of measurable outcomes. She proposes a framework for systemic change that addresses these gaps. Essentially, Zheng reminds us that DEI is not a branding exercise but an ethical and strategic imperative, writing: "Unless we expect a basic standard of demonstrating effectiveness... our work will fundamentally lack accountability."

Book Review: DEI deconstructed