An inclusive mindset is essential for designing for inclusion. However, without a clear understanding of what an inclusive mindset entails, design educators and practitioners may find it difficult to cultivate. This study clarifies what constitutes an inclusive mindset and how it can be fostered in the design field. Through a scoping review of 47 studies, we systematically analysed research domains, types of inclusivity, definitions, associated attributes and factors influencing an inclusive mindset. The outcome is the development of an inclusive mindset model that outlines the core constructs of an inclusive mindset, its determinants and its translation into inclusive behaviour. The model was further refined and validated through interviews with 23 stakeholders in design and engineering education. Together, these insights provide a nuanced understanding of inclusivity and offer an empirically informed framework for advancing inclusion in design research, education and practice.
