The Culture around Systemic Change Survey (CSCS): Assessing how physicists work to enact systemic change in their programs

An increasing number of physics faculty members strive to improve their undergraduate and graduate programs to offer high-quality instruction and better serve diverse student populations. However, implementing evidence-based instruction and improving inclusivity are challenging and require systemic organizational change. APS and other disciplinary organizations have developed resources to help physics programs increase their capacity for pursuing change. A major challenge for departmental change efforts is a lack of reliable tools to consistently and accurately monitor progress. Without such tools, identifying challenges in the change process and adjusting strategies accordingly is difficult. In this study, we developed a survey instrument to measure physics departments' approach to systemic change. We led a series of design sessions with key stakeholders to inform the survey's design and tailor the instrument to the emerging needs of the physics community. We describe our novel approach to the survey design process, share the survey constructs, and discuss results from a pilot administration of the Culture around Systemic Change Survey (CSCS). The CSCS instrument captures faculty and staff perceptions of both their department's "current" and "ideal" states across five factors: open mindedness, student involvement, collective use of evidence, sustainability, and disrupting systemic injustices. Data from N=111 participants across 33 departments show significantly higher ratings for current departmental open mindedness and collective use of evidence compared to other factors. Across all factors, significant gaps exist between current and ideal states. These findings offer actionable insights for change leaders seeking to build more inclusive and sustainable cultures in their departments.