When Dr. Gary Bennett, now Dean of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, was a graduate student training in clinical psychology, he was learning to balance two demanding roles: how to conduct a research program, and gain experience in clinical work. He did not always succeed. Read more in Trinity’s new series “Freedom to Fail”, on how Dr. Bennett reaches for his own moments of failures to relate to students, and helps them develop resilience in the face of challenges. read more about Freedom to Fail: How a Dean’s Lesson Shaped His Leadership »
For Dr. Kisha Daniels (Education), getting fired was a painful wake-up call that turned into a moment of clarity. After leaving a tenured position to pursue a consulting role she thought would align with her passions, she found herself let go for prioritizing people over sales. In reflecting on the experience, she came to see that failure sometimes reveals where you don’t belong, and that true success comes from knowing your own worth. It’s a story she often shares with students, encouraging… read more about Freedom to Fail: Dr. Kisha Daniels Tells Her Story »
Gastroenterologist, Dr. Julius Wilder (SoM), discusses the science behind the rising incidence of colorectal cancer, updated screening guidelines, and research aimed at improving access. Dr. Wilder also addresses common questions about symptoms, risk factors, and the flood of gut health products trending on social media in Season 2 Episode 7 of DCRI’s Beyond the Endpoint. Watch the You Tube Video Below: read more about Dr. Julius Wilder Gives Perspective on Colorectal Cancer »
Dr. Annette Joseph-Gabriel (Romance Studies), was a judge for 2025’s National Book Awards in Translated Literature. Learn from Dr. Joseph-Gabriel what makes a work of great literature in the video below. read more about Dr. Annette Joseph-Gabriel shares experiences as National Book Award Judge »
Vibe magazine is merging with Rolling Stone to help bolster its hip-hop coverage to include podcasts, long-form journalism and social media. Listen to Here & Now Newsroom, as Dr. Mark Anthony Neal (AAAS) discusses what the merger of Vibe and Rolling Stone could mean for the future of Black cultural criticism. read more about Dr. Mark Anthony Neal on Vibe’s Merger with Rolling Stone »
In a paper published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, Dr. Sarah Gaither (Psych & Neuroscience) and colleagues examined how frequently Black and White Americans use gestures when speaking and how others interpret this non-verbal communication. This new research sheds light on how culture shapes our gestures, and on how that impacts the ways we connect and communicate, which can potentially reduce miscommunication, promote understanding and improve interactions across racial and… read more about Dr. Sarah Gaither’s Research on Gestures and Culture »
Dr. Tamika Nunley (History), has won the Journal of Women's History Article Prize for 2025 for her work, “The Intellectual World of Phillis Wheatley and the Politics of Genius” which appeared in the journal's Spring 2024 issue (Volume 36, Number 1). Her award-winning article examines the life and work of enslaved African American poet Phillis Wheatley and her contemporaries to consider how African-descended people conceptualized liberty during the American Revolution. Read more about Dr. Nunley’s… read more about Dr. Tamika Nunley Wins 2025 Journal of Women’s History Article Prize »
Dr. Calvin R. Howell (Physics), was awarded the 2025 Francis Slack Award at this year’s Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society (SESAPS) Annual Meeting. The award honors "Excellence in Service to Physics in the Southeast.” Dr. Howell’s research is in the area of experimental nuclear physics. He was cited for four decades of distinguished service to the nuclear physics community in the Southeast in various leadership roles, with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Read the… read more about Dr. Calvin R. Howell awarded Francis Slack Award »
Earning tenure after a rigorous review process by peers inside and outside Duke is a testament to the excellence of each individual faculty member and the impact of their research, teaching and service as well as their standing in their disciplines. The Black Think Tank congratulates the newly tenured Associate Professors at Duke, Dr. Jarvis McInnis (English), Dr. Schenita Randolph (Nursing), Dr. Kevin Richardson (Philosophy), Dr. Phia Salter (Psych… read more about Celebrating Newly Tenured Faculty 2025 »
In an up-close and personal event, Duke Conversations turned the Ruby Lounge in the Rubenstein Arts Center into a dining room for its “Meet the Deans” event on Tuesday, September 30th. Duke Conversations is an undergraduate-led program whose mission is to foster dialogue between students and faculty and to build community among different students.Vice Provost Lee Baker (Cul Anth) shared insights on his own funny college story. The newly appointed Vice Provost launched into his cultural anthropological… read more about Vice Provost, Dr. Lee Baker shares with top undergraduates at Duke Conversations »
Dr. Tracie Canada (Cul-Anth) received an honorable mention for the GAD New Directions Award. Dr. Canada’s ethnographic research into the lived experiences of college football players and their families has made a splash in the world beyond anthropology, with essays published in The Guardian, Time, Scientific American, and Essence, and dozens of media interviews in venues such as NPR. The Black feminist lens she places on the college football industry provides us with a critical interpretive guide to the… read more about Dr. Tracie Canada receives Individual Honorable Mention »
Dr. Tyson Brown (Sociology) is the new director of the Samuel DuBois Cook Center, succeeding the center’s founding director, William A. (“Sandy”) Darity Jr. “It’s a tremendous honor to direct the Cook Center,” Dr. Brown said. "I look forward to building on the extraordinary leadership of Sandy Darity and to working with a broad and expanding community of faculty and students across Duke’s schools and disciplines.” Dr. Brown integrates innovative theoretical frameworks with advanced data science and… read more about Dr. Tyson Brown is now the Director of the Cook Center »
Not long after Dr. Tyson Brown (Sociology) came to Duke, he took advantage of the university’s institutional membership in the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD), an organization providing professional development programs for faculty. Speaking of both the Faculty Success Program and the Post-Tenure Pathfinders Program, Dr. Brown said, “Both programs equipped me with the tools to be strategic and intentional in aligning my time and energy with my scholarly and leadership… read more about Dr. Tyson Brown and Two Faculty Success Programs »
Dr. Derrick Glymph, Assistant Director and Clinical Education Coordinator for the SoN’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia program, recently retired from the Army Reserve at the rank of Colonel after 35 years of service. In a recent SoN story, Dr. Glymph Derrick Glymph reflects on how his journey as a nurse anesthetist and Army leader shaped his values, leadership style, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals. Read the SoN article here. Read the SoN article here. read more about Dr. Derrick Glymph’s Journey of Service and Leadership »
Dr. Anne Washington (Sanford) the Rothermere/Harmsworth Duke Associate Professor of Technology Policy joined Duke in 2025 and was honored with the Langford Lectureship Award, one of the highest faculty distinctions. She is a computer scientist trained in organizational ethnography who applies her expertise in digital innovation to issues of data governance. Her work explores how digital technologies intersect with governance and society, uniting technical expertise with qualitative research to better… read more about Dr. Anne Washington: Finding Humanity in Technology »
Dr. Phia Salter is the Fred W. Shaffer Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience. She identifies as a critical race psychologist, a blend of her training in social and cultural psychology and Africana Studies. Dr. Salter is interested in the ways that culture, systems and racial experiences inform collective memory, and how those elements of memory impact social identity and systemic racism.Dr. Salter’s research on collective memory focuses on how people tell stories about the past. Which stories… read more about Dr. Phia Salter: How Culture and Systems Shape Racial Experiences »
What makes a good book? This was one of the impossible questions Annette Joseph-Gabriel, the John Spencer Bassett Associate Professor of Romance Studies, had to answer as a judge for the 76th National Book Awards for Translated Literature. We asked her to share some of the insights she gathered from this experience, and how she recommends one should dive into the world of translated literature. Spoiler alert: her advice is “Run, don’t walk.”This interview was lightly edited for clarity and length.… read more about What Makes a Good Book? Annette Joseph-Gabriel Shares Her Insights on Being a Judge for 2025’s National Book Award »
How do we understand history and the stories that shape our world—and who gets to dictate them? This central premise can be found through the research and teaching of Dr. Khwezi Mkhize, Assistant Professor of African & African American Studies, whose focus on African literature, Black political thought, and postcolonial intellectual history wrestles with this question. His talk, “A Pan-African(ist) Cape Town,” explores the intersections of narrative, history, and global crisis from the perspective of… read more about Dr. Khwezi Mkhize on Reclaiming the Pan-African Narrative »
Hosting this video is Dr. Mark Anthony Neal, the James B. Duke Distinguished Professor and Chair of African & African American Studies. This video is a part of Duke University's series Extra Credit: Life's Curiosities Explained. At the height of his fame, Dick Gregory may have been the most influential comedian in America, but he wasn’t only concerned with making people laugh. Dr. Neal discusses how Gregory used comedy in the quest for civil and human rights.… read more about Dr. Mark Anthony Neal discusses Dick Gregory’s comedy as activism »
Dr. Sherilynn Black (SoM) recently led interactive activities at the Transformative Teaching mini retreat, organized by the Office for Faculty Advancement and Duke Learning Innovation and Lifetime Education, which featured interactive activities including time for discussion and networking, and links to helpful resources. Dr. Black encouraged new faculty to continually evolve their approach to teaching and invited them to reflect on how they developed their style as a teacher and mentor. Read the full… read more about Transformative Teaching Mini Retreat with Dr. Sherilynn Black »
Watch here a dynamic conversation between Dr. Richard J. Powell (AAH) and Nasher Museum Director Trevor Schoonmaker in which they offer reflections on the museum’s legacy while looking ahead to an exciting future, Dr. Powell is John Spencer Bassett Professor of Art & Art History and along with teaching courses in American art, the arts of the African Diaspora, and contemporary visual studies, he has written extensively on topics ranging from primitivism to postmodernism… read more about Celebrating 20 years of the Nasher Museum with Dr. Richard Powell »
Dr. Trina Jones, (Law) has been elected to the American Law Institute (ALI). A leading expert on racial, socio-economic, and gender inequality in the workplace, Dr. Jones directs Duke Law’s Center on Law, Race & Policy and teaches courses including Race and the Law, Employment Discrimination, and Civil Procedure. Dr. Jones chaired the Duke University Academic Council from 2023 to 2025 and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Her widely cited scholarship examines issues of… read more about Professor Trina Jones elected to the American Law Institute »
Dr. Gerald Bloomfield (SoM) and collaborators received a $4.8M NHLBI R01 grant to study cardiac health in Kenyan youth with perinatal HIV exposure or infection. The team will follow adolescents and young adults with perinatally acquired HIV to screen for subclinical cardiac dysfunction by echocardiogram and proteomic biomarkers. Comparing three groups, the team aims to identify the specific contributions of HIV exposure and infection to early cardiac dysfunction in a young cohort. Findings will inform early… read more about Exploring HIV’s Impact on Young Hearts: Dr. Gerald Bloomfield Secures $4.8M R01 Grant »
Dr. CJ Appleton has joined Sanford School of Public Policy as an Assistant Professor specializing in criminal justice policy. A former athlete who faced many unexpected personal challenges, Dr. Appleton found his calling in criminal justice research. His work has been deeply involved in translational research - how to better connect policy and practice in criminal justice systems – and around the concept of desistance, the process of ending a criminal career. His person-centered research takes a life-course… read more about Dr. CJ Appleton Brings Visionary Criminal Justice Research to Sanford »
Dr. Thavolia Glymph, Peabody Family Distinguished Professor of History, was honored with the Distinguished Service to Labor and Working-Class History Award from the Labor and Working-Class History Association (LAWCHA) at its annual meeting in June. Dr. Glymph is also a celebrated author, an Organization of American Historians Distinguished Lecturer, an elected member of the Society of American Historians and the American Antiquarian Society, as well as a past member of the Gettysburg Foundation. Read more… read more about Dr. Thavolia Glymph Honored with History Award »
Dr. Deondra Rose (Sanford) received the 2025 American Political Science Association Race, Ethnicity and Politics Best Book Award for The Power of Black Excellence: HBCUs and the Fight for American Democracy (Oxford University Press). In her book, she provides an authoritative history of HBCUs and the unique role they have played in shaping American democracy since 1837. At the APSA annual meeting, she discussed her work with leading scholars and expressed gratitude for the recognition of HBCUs’ enduring… read more about Dr. Deondra Rose Honored with APSA Award for Best Book on Race and Political Change »
A recent Macon Telegraph feature explored the high rates of hysterectomy among Black women, particularly in the South, often linked to fibroids. While fibroids are a leading cause, Dr. Whitney Robinson (SoM) noted the disparity isn’t explained by medical factors alone. “The fertility of Black women has been devalued traditionally,” Dr. Robinson said, pointing to a history of forced sterilization, barriers to specialized care, and fewer treatment alternatives offered. Her research highlights how systemic… read more about Dr. Whitney Robinson: Historical Bias Shapes Hysterectomy Disparities »
Created in partnership with Dr. Julius Wilder (SoM), Steps Ahead is a new documentary short film from the Health Monitor Network, that sheds light on the systemic barriers contributing to health inequities across diverse communities. Dr. Wider is featured in this short film and shows how providing diverse communities with the right resources helps them navigate their health and improve outcomes. Now the film has been named a finalist in the 2025 Short Films competition. Read more about the Health… read more about Dr. Julius Wilder, “Steps Ahead” documentary named finalist in 2025 Cinehealth Film festival »
The new season of the Trinity Duets series has been released. Duets is a podcast that showcases research collaboration between faculty, students and community partners across Durham and NC. Duets season II includes three interviews with BTT faculty members we will highlight: Dr. Maria Tackett (Stats) and her team, who are studying people navigating Durham’s criminal justice and healthcare systems (Episode 1); Dr. Shaundra Daily (ECE), whose research is at the intersection of computer… read more about Duets Season Two Episodes Featuring Drs. Tackett, Daniels, and Daily »
In a recent interview, Dr. Wylin Wilson (Divinity), discussed her book, Womanist Bioethics: Social Justice, Spirituality, and Black Women’s Health, which uncovers the hidden stories of Black women and links historical injustices to today’s maternal health disparities. She described her unique approach as a “theologian as artist,” examining systemic inequities while emphasizing human connection. Dr. Wilson also highlighted her current research on rural and maternal mental health, equipping faith communities… read more about Dr. Wylin Wilson’s Research Seeks to Improve Health and Human Connection »