Diversity Statements in Academic Job Applications

In this workshop, Johanna Teske and Sally June Tracy:

• reviewed the scope of diversity statements in academic job applications,
• outlined why a growing number of institutions are asking for these statements,
• and discussed types of contributions and ideas that could be discussed in these statements.

They also provided a list of resources related to diversity statements, including where to begin, writing prompts, example rubrics, and additional examples.  

Diversity Statement Resource List 

These are some of the resources that we gathered for the workshop that we thought would be helpful to have handy.

Where to Begin? 

• Developing & Writing a Diversity Statement (Vanderbilt University)
• "How to write an effective diversity statement" (Inside Higher Ed)

Writing Prompts

• Developing & Writing a Diversity Statement (Vanderbilt University)
• UCLA EDI Statement Guidance for Candidates (see Appendix B) 
• UC San Diago Guidelines
• Diversity Statement Meaning Making Worksheet (CalTech)
• What should I include in my DEI Statement? (University of Texas at Austin)

Rubrics and Assessment 

• UCLA EDI Statement Guidance for Candidates (see Appendix C) 
• University of Washington Tips for Assessing Diversity Statements 
• University of Washington Application Assessment Rubrics (including Diversity Statements, see Part 4) 
• Washington State University Assessment Guidance for EDI Statements
• University of Virginia Rubric
• Cornell Rubric

More Examples

• Six Examples of Submitted Diversity Statements (UC San Diego)
• Short Diversity Statement Examples (UCLA)

Resources on Effectiveness of DEI Statements 

• The Promise of Diversity Statements: Insights and an Initial Framework Developed from a Faculty Search Process 
• Searching for a Diverse Faculty: Data-Driven Recommendations