The May 2021 Report "Eat, Pray, Live: A closer look at the role of gender and denomination in the faith-health connection for African Americans" looks at the connection between religion and health. Researchers have long treated “the Black Church” as a monolith, which obscures and prevents a more precise understanding of the varied health outcomes within this diverse population. To combat this characterization, the Cook Center’s Health Equity working group has produced three journal articles in recent months that… read more about New Research from Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards examines the role of gender and denomination in faith-health connections »
The first court test of whether local governments can ban police from enforcing certain gun laws is playing out in a rural Oregon county, one of a wave of U.S. counties declaring itself a Second Amendment sanctuary. Read Professor Darrell Miller discuss the uniqueness of this case with ABC News here. read more about Darrell Miller comments on federal gun law in ABC News »
Dr. Mark Anthony Neal wrote the article "'We Can Rock The World's Foundation': 1971 And Black Music In Revolt" in NPR Music discussing the intertwined nature of music and protest during the 1970s. Read the full article here. read more about Dr. Mark Anthony Neal in NPR Music: 1971 and Black Music in Revolt »
Congratulations to Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards on her promotion. She researches how racism, gender, and culture influence health, social and educational outcomes. Beyond identifying disparities, she also investigates how systems can be improved and how cultural strengths can be used to promote resiliency and positive health outcomes in African Americans throughout their lives. read more about Congratulations to Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards on her promotion to Associate Professor of Medicine! »
Three Duke University School of Medicine researchers were named Burroughs Welcome Fund 2021 Investigators in the highly competitive Pathogenesis of Infections Disease (PATH) program. Gianna E. Hammer, PhD, assistant professor of immunology is among eleven recipients of this year’s award. Recipients are provided $500,000 over a period of five years to pursue new avenues of inquiry, and to take on higher-risk research projects with potential to advance understanding of how infectious diseases work… read more about SoM Researchers Named Burroughs Welcome Fund 2021 Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease »
Dr. Tyson Brown and colleagues are continuing work with Project ROUSE, an independent study that has requested the perspectives of all Duke University employees to determine the impact of the pandemic on work and well-being. The research team have begun aggregating all answers in order to develop a better understanding of the impacts of COVID-19, considering that people’s experiences differ depending on their circumstances. Read more here. read more about More Research on Work and Well-Being at Duke During the Pandemic »
As the Duke community continues conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion, it’s important to consider and understand how words and phrases can unite or cause harm. Working@Duke interviewed Kimberly Hewitt, vice president for institutional equity and Lee D. Baker, professor of cultural anthropology, sociology and African and African American studies; among others about how inclusive language benefits the community. Read their responses here. read more about Q&A with Duke experts: Why inclusive language matters »
Dr. Keisha L. Bentley-Edwards, Assistant Professor at Duke University’s School of Medicine, whose interdisciplinary research focuses on how racism, gender and culture influence health and educational outcomes, shares her story. Read the full article here. read more about Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards shares guest piece in The Springer Nature on Amplifying Black Voices in Academia »
Dr. William Darity and A. Kirsten Mullen explain their research on reparations to close the racial-wealth gap in The Economist. Read the full piece here. read more about William Darity and A. Kirsten Mullen on direct payments to close the racial-wealth gap in The Economist »
Dr. Erica Taylor, assistant professor of Orthopedic Surgery, has been chosen as the PDC's first Associate Chief Medical Officer for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Dr. Taylor brings to this role a lifetime of experience, passion and a proven track record as a leader for change. Learn more and read the full announcement here. read more about Dr. Erica Taylor named PDC Associate Chief Medical Officer for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion »
The Duke University School of Medicine has announced the recipients of the 2021 Michelle P. Winn Awards, which recognize exceptional achievement within the field of diversity and inclusion. This year’s recipients include Dr. Jacqueline Barnett, DHSc, MSHS, PA-C. Congratulations to Dr. Jacqueline Barnett for receiving the Winn Faculty Award for her commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence through her various roles as Director of the Duke Physician Assistant Program. View all the awardees here… read more about School Students, Staff, and Faculty receive 2021 Michelle Winn Inclusive Excellence Awards »
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will continue to fund a Duke University program to increase the number of underrepresented minority Ph.D. graduates in the physical sciences and engineering, approving a three-year, $1 million grant renewal. The grant, supplemented by funding from Duke’s Office of the Provost and The Graduate School, will support the University Center of Exemplary Mentoring (UCEM) at Duke, one of eight such centers in the country. “We are very grateful for the Sloan Foundation’s continued support and… read more about Sloan Foundation Renews $1 Million Grant to Duke to Increase Underrepresented Ph.D. Graduates in STEM »
Following a national search, Carol A. King has agreed to serve as the new Vice Dean for Finance and Administration in the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, effective July 1. As vice dean, Carol will act as a key advisor and be responsible for providing strategic direction in resource management, allocation and administration; advancing priorities in operational areas; and developing and executing a mission for the administrative operations and financial future of Trinity. Learn more here. read more about Congratulations Carol A. King on joining Duke as the new Vice Dean for Finance and Administration »
One year after the death of George Floyd at the hands of police, NBC News’ Trymaine Lee takes a look at how our politics, policing and conversation around race has changed … and what hasn’t. Guests discussing being Black in America include Amanda Seales, Anna Deavere Smith, Martin Luther King III, Dr. Yusef Salaam, Travon Free, Jelani Cobb, Rep. Mondaire Jones, Sandy Darity, Carmen Best, Lee Merritt, and Marlon Peterson. Watch the full segment here. read more about Dr. William Darity discusses being Black in America on NBC News »
Assistant Professor of Biology Gustavo Silva discusses protein diversity as well as how the structure and function of protein can control life as we know it. Watch here. This video is part of Duke University's Fundamental Concepts series on YouTube. read more about Dr. Gustavo Silva: Building Life Protein by Protein »
Starting July 1st, Dr. Kevin Richardson will join the Duke Philosophy Department as an Assistant Professor of Philosophy. Kevin received his PhD in Philosophy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior to joining Duke, Kevin worked at North Carolina State University as an Assistant Professor in the Philosophy and Religious Studies Department. He specializes in Metaphysics and the philosophy of language. His current research concerns the nature of the social world, in which he focuses on two… read more about The Department of Philosophy welcomes Kevin Richardson as a new faculty member on July 1st »
In Spring 2021 the Department of Statistical Science was awarded an $11,000 grant from the Trinity Research Enhancement (TRE) Fund, a program by the Office of Academic Affairs to support undergraduate research and senior thesis projects. The goals for the 2021 award are to make ongoing undergraduate research initiatives in the department more sustainable and to support a new workshop aimed at getting students involved in research early in the statistics curriculum. The Principal Investigator is Assistant… read more about Department awarded grant to support undergraduate research initiatives »
The Purpose Project at Duke is a campus-wide effort cultivating moral purpose, fostering virtuous community and promoting flourishing professions. We are now seeking proposals from all schools for both undergraduate and graduate and professional offerings (including projects that involve undergraduate and graduate/professional students together), curricular or co-curricular interventions and experiments that seek explicitly to do one or more of the following: Cultivate moral purpose or practical wisdom… read more about Purpose Project Call for Proposals – Due May 15 »
Duke Language, Arts and Media Program (LAMP) 2021-2022 Bacca Faculty Fellows $1,500 in Research Funds Deadline: May 7, 2021 Additional Information Bacca Faculty Fellows are a small cohort of faculty (all ranks eligible) who commit to trying new methods or approaches in one of their courses which are consistent with LAMP goals. Over the course of the year-long fellowship, LAMP leaders convene workshops and hold individual… read more about LAMP 2021-2022 Bacca Fellows: Applications Due May 7 »
Four senior faculty members at Duke including School of Medicine leaders have been named Fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS). The recipients — all women — represent four of 252 total members elected this year. Founded in 1780, the Academy honors exceptional scholars, leaders, artists, and innovators and engages them in sharing knowledge and addressing challenges facing the world. Among them was Dr. Ebony Boulware. L. Ebony Boulware , MD, MPH, Chief of the Division of General Internal… read more about Dr. Ebony Boulware among SoM leaders elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences »
On April 21, more than 150 members of the Duke community gathered in front of Duke Chapel to share thoughts on the guilty verdict of Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd, a verdict that Trinity College Dean Valerie Ashby described as a “ray of light in a sea of darkness.” The event was organized by the Office of Undergraduate Education and the Office of Student Affairs in hopes that students could have a safe place to hear from Black campus leaders and to share a moment in community with one… read more about Duke Community Gathers to Reflect on Chauvin Verdict and the History of Violence agaisnt Black Americans »
Brandon Garrett and James Coleman share insights with local and national media. They were not overly optimistic the conviction of ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd will spur major police reform. Learn more here. read more about Legal Experts Not Optimistic Chauvin Case will Transform Policing »
Kanecia Zimmerman, MD, MPH, is an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care Medicine, at Duke University Medical Center, as well as the co-principal investigator of the STAR program. Dr. Zimmerman is the recipient of a Duke CTSA Career Development Award, and she focuses her research on improving the safety of drugs administered to critically ill children. Dr. Zimmerman earned her MD from Duke University and her MPH from the University of North Carolina at Chapel… read more about BTT Faculty Features Series: Meet Kanecia Zimmerman »
Gillian Schmidler will chair a committee to search for the new dean of the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) to replace interim director Dr. Dennis Clements. The committee should seek an intellectual leader who will seek “the highest aspirations in faculty hiring and retention” and will be both a consensus builder as well as a decision maker. The goal is for the committee to present recommendations to the chancellor and provost by August 16, 2021. Applications and nominations for the search, as well as requests… read more about Committee Formed to Seek New Director of the Duke Global Health Institute »
William A. Darity Jr. and A. Kirsten Mullen reflect on the past year since they published the critically acclaimed book From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century. Read more here. read more about Reflecting on the Past Year Since the Publication of From Here to Equality »
Rev. Dr. Luke A. Powery pushes for overcoming fear to live one's life fully. Read more of his op-ed here. read more about Rev. Dr. Luke A. Powery on Burying fear »
Dr. Kafui Dzirasa shared a public statement concrete steps to diversify the scientific workforce with colleagues. Read the full article here and find the video here. read more about Dr. Kafui Dzirasa finds concrete steps to diversify the scientific workforce with colleagues »
The lynching of Black bodies was a ritual gathering. ..trees as witnesses of these acts of terror...in several African diaspora spiritual traditions, "practitioners recognize forests, rivers, and oceans as natural resources embodying spiritual subjects" (Concha-Holmes, 2012)...what might we imagine as held memories by these spiritual subjects? how do we create points of access, or portals to engage in acts of remembrance and recovery? Read the full description here. View this exhibit in-person until April 23rd or… read more about Duke Dance Program Spring Dance Series - Preparing Grounds: Portals and Portability »
For the 25th anniversary of National Poetry Month, a look at six Duke faculty who have published poetry collections, including Nathaniel Mackey, Tsitsi Jaji, and Jacques Pierre. View their collections and the full list of faculty here. read more about Celebrate National Poetry Month with Six Duke Faculty Poets »
As we close out the 2020-2021 school year, Black Think Tank would like to highlight the 10 most-viewed news stories in the spring of 2021 on the BTT website. We were proud to see how the Black faculty at Duke continued to share their voice, deepen their knowledge, and connect with their fellow scholars throughout the year, whether it was learning more about faculty and the scholarship they are producing or recognizing the exciting initiatives they are leading. Check out the 10 most-viewed news stories on BTT'… read more about Top Ten BTT News Stories of Spring 2021! »