Diversity Initiatives in Faculty Affairs and at the University of Washington

The recruitment and retention of traditionally underrepresented groups in the faculty at the iSchool is a top priority of Faculty Affairs. Working with the iSchool's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Sovereignty Committee (IDEAS), the UW Vice-Provost for Faculty Advancement, and others, Faculty Affairs addresses systemic barriers and roadblocks through changes in policy and practice and in dialogue with the faculty and the community. Below are some of our ongoing programs.

Women’s Caucus

Each year Faculty Affairs supports women-only working lunches. The purpose of this is to support women faculty at all ranks, surface concerns and structural issues that affect their professional life. The discussions are summarized and presented anonymously to the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs as work items and when appropriate taken to the Elected Faculty Council.

Faculty Working Groups by Rank

Faculty Affairs supports working groups for all faculty ranks.  The working groups collaborate on policy and issues for faculty at various stages of their careers.  

Mentorship

Faculty Affairs leads mentorship programs for faculty, focusing on faculty at the Assistant Professor rank.  Mentorship is available for all faculty.  

Recruitment Programs

The iSchool has invested resources in reaching out to scholars from traditionally underrepresented groups. We align recruitment and retention practices to help diversify the faculty and build an inclusive intellectual community.

Family Matters

In collaboration with faculty we have developed policies that provide a supportive workplace for faculty with young families and for nursing parents.  Policies include nursing parent support, infant caregiver travel support, and parental leave.   

University of Washington is Member of the NCFDD

The University of Washington has established an institutional membership with the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD). NCFDD offers an external mentoring community program designed to support the success of all UW faculty, post-docs, and advanced graduate students at the Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma campuses. NCFDD services are designed to increase productivity through workshops and multi-week courses that offer professional development support. The UW’s institutional membership is managed by the Office for Faculty Advancement. UW faculty, post-docs, and advanced graduate students are encouraged to activate their UW membership accounts and take advantage of this unique opportunity.

Greater Washington State Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (GWS HERC)

The University of Washington is at the forefront of a new collaborative effort to help institutions recruit diverse faculty and staff and assist dual-career couples seeking employment throughout the state. The UW, along with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, launched the Greater Washington State Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (GWS HERC) in October 2013. The GWS HERC provides resources to employers seeking talented and diverse employees and assists jobseekers looking for work, including couples seeking employment in similar locations. The UW Office for Faculty Advancement manages the consortium.