Diversity: Faculty and other academic personnel
Fostering crucial conversations and building opportune consensus on the use of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion statements for faculty recruitment
UC Davis, 2021-2022
Project Principle Investigator
Margaret Laurena Kemp and Philip H. Kass
Project Abstract
This project will conduct an exhaustive study into the use of Statements of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in recruitment through research into how they are employed and valued at UC campuses and other universities. UC Davis has recognized potential value in a previous AFD grant, which provoked some Senate faculty to protest mandatory inclusion of these statements in faculty applications. After completing the research, which will include studying hundreds of public comments Senate members provided opposing and supporting the statements, project leaders will develop two “industrial films” – one using professional actors discussing use of the statements in the context of recruitment committees reviewing applications, and a documentary facilitated by an experienced DEI facilitator and screenwriter to gain student perspectives on their lived experiences and focusing on their engagement with faculty. These will be provided to future recruitment committees at UC Davis and other UC campuses as a hiring resource.