Since its launch in summer 2017, the Office for Faculty Advancement (OFA) has committed itself to advancing equity for all the members of the Duke community. Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values driving our mission to advance and strengthen academic excellence. We do not consider equity work to be distinct from the rest of our efforts. Rather, this work weaves itself into all of our initiatives, because a truly equitable academic environment is a necessary prerequisite to the success of all faculty and to successfully carrying out Duke’s academic mission. We have developed a plan that demonstrates our office’s values and priorities. Our plan is adaptive and will continue to evolve to ensure that we are responsive to the needs and expectations of all faculty at Duke. — Abbas Benmamoun, Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement

OFA Racial Equity Plan

Fostering Racial Equity and Promoting Inclusive Excellence for Faculty at Duke: The Office for Faculty Advancement is committed to advancing racial equity efforts. Here we provide the specific action items that describe how we plan to implement this work and how we will measure its effectiveness.

OFA Special Events

• Living While Black: Duke faculty discussed the background, dimensions and impact of racism and racist policies and structures. Students and staff shared their perspectives and insights. Watch the videos: How Did We Get Here?; Being Black in America; Being Black at Duke; How Do We Move Forward?
• The History of Violence Against Asian Americans: Moderated by Nayoung Aimee Kwon, a panel discussion featured presentations on the historical context of anti-Asian violence from Eileen Chow, Esther Kim Lee and Susan Thananopavarn. Watch the video and read the article.

Faculty Development

• Workshops: Selected workshops in our FAS and LAUD series provide learning opportunities and resources for faculty and unit leaders on a range of racial equity issues. Recent workshops include:
  • Promoting an Equitable Learning and Research Environment for Your Students (article and resources)
  • Your Role as Faculty in Confronting Racism and Fostering an Equitable Climate (article)
  • Fostering a Positive and Equitable Culture in Your Academic Unit (resources)
  • Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 on the Academic Progress of Underrepresented Faculty (resources and recording)
  • Confronting Systemic Racism as an Academic Leader (resources)
  • Systemic Racism and Its Impact on Creating a Diverse Faculty in Higher Education (resources)
  • Engaging with Students around Race and Racism (resources)
  • Actualizing Racial Equity Throughout the Faculty Hiring Process  (resources and recording)
  • Supporting Your BIPOC Faculty Colleagues: Guidance for Senior Faculty, Chairs, and Deans (recording)
  • Discussing Difficult and Controversial Topics in the Classroom (article)
  • Keeping Afloat: Strategies for BIPOC Early Career Faculty (resources)
  • Revisiting Mentorship: Strategies for BIPOC Early Career Faculty (resources and recording)
• Teaching and Leading for Equity & Teaching for Equity Fellows: OFA offered a new four-part workshop series, Teaching and Leading for Equity, and sponsored the participation of 25 faculty in the 2021-2022 Teaching for Equity Fellows year-long series of workshops.

Building Community

• Writing and ReseArch Productivity (WRAP) Group for Black Faculty: This OFA-sponsored program is led by Tyson Brown and Sarah Gaither.
• Black Think Tank: Directed by Gustavo Silva, BTT is an OFA-sponsored program.
• Book Club: Belonging While Black at Duke: Supported by OFA, this club is led by Fred Boadu and Arnetta Girardeau.
• Racism and Bias: Ongoing Funded Projects: See 2021-22 Faculty Advancement Seed Grants on the theme of racism and bias.

Educational Opportunities

• Faculty Short Course on Improving Departmental Climate: This four-day course was presented by OFA with support from the Office for Institutional Equity.
• Faculty Short Course on Dismantling Racism at Duke: Over 150 faculty members participated in OFA's inaugural short course.

Funding Opportunities and Recruitment

• Strategic Hiring for Faculty Excellence: This Together Duke initiative provides financial support for recruiting and hiring excellent and diverse faculty.
• Faculty Advancement Seed Grants: Seed grants support novel faculty-led initiatives aiming to foster a sense of community and a welcoming and respectful climate for all members.
• Equitable Hiring Practices: This fall workshop series details effective practices at all stages of the faculty hiring process.
• Reckoning With Race, Racism and the History of the American South: Research projects aim to deepen understanding of race and racism in the region and consider implications for pathways forward.
• Racial Inequality: Research projects explore a diverse range of topics under the broad theme of racial inequality.
• Racial and Social Equity in Local Context: This request for proposals is for projects on the theme of “Engaging With Durham’s Priority Areas for Community Impact.”
• Duke Next Generation Leaders: A new initiative aims to bring together cohorts of talented postdoctoral scientists and mentor them on academic faculty careers.
• NCFDD Faculty Success Program: This program is designed for faculty who would like to maintain and improve their research productivity and time management.

Readings and Resources

• Racial Equity Resources: Exploring different perspectives and lived experiences can be one catalyst for change.
• Best Practices for Equitable Assessment: OFA offers 11 specific actions faculty can take.
• Mentoring: Access a wide range of resources to receive mentoring and learn how to be a better mentor.
• Engaging in Difficult Conversations: With the help of scenarios and best practices, learn how to handle matters constructively.
• Becoming Duke: A Brief History: Watch University Archivist Valerie Gillispie's presentation.

Institutional Response

• Racial Equity at Duke: This repository of information includes data regularly collected and publicized to monitor our progress, details of new and ongoing programs, research highlights, and educational and training materials.
• Racial Equity Advisory Council: The council serves as an advisory body to the executive leadership of Duke University and is guided by four subcommittees of experts.
• Campus Survey: More than 12,800 people participated in Duke’s first-ever university-wide climate survey in April 2021. The results will inform policies and practices to help the university build a more equitable community and set a baseline by which Duke’s racial equity work will be measured for years to come.