Congratulations to Professor Gary G. Bennett (Psychology and Neuroscience) at Duke University as he becomes the new dean of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. Prof. Bennett, who serves as Duke’s vice provost for undergraduate education, will begin his term Feb. 1, 2023. He succeeds Valerie Ashby, who stepped down this summer to become president of University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Mohamed Noor, who will continue to serve as interim dean until Bennett’s term begins. Bennett earned his Ph.D… read more about Dr. Gary Bennett appointed as the new Dean for Trinity College of Arts & Sciences »
Welcome the newest BTT member, Champion Olatunji, who will be working as our student assistant. By joining the Black Think Tank, he will use his skills and resources to promote the objectives of organization in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Champion is passionate about building communities and making significant impact in the world. Champion Olatunji is a Nigerian trained and licensed attorney studying in the LLM program at Duke University School of Law with a specialization in Finance… read more about Welcome the newest BTT student assistant, Champion Olatunji! »
A 20-year veteran of Broadway, Off Broadway, Broadway National Tour, and regional productions, Chaunteé Schuler Irving joins the Duke faculty as assistant professor of the practice in Theater Studies after teaching appointments at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and the American Music and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles. Her pedagogy centers embodied performative practices that bring equitable and inclusive approaches to the forefront of actor training… read more about Meet Prof. Chanteé Schuler Irving, the New Assistant Professor of the Practice of Theater Studies »
Popular Science annual list of early-career scientists and engineers is as much a celebration of what our honorees have already accomplished as it is a forecast for what they’ll do next. These scientists and engineers are taking on some of medicine, chemistry, and society’s biggest challenges—and succeeding. Dr. Chantell Evans, Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, focuses on understanding a process called mitophagy—how cells deal with dead or malfunctioning mitochondria—in neurons. Read the full article at… read more about Dr. Chantell Evans named among "The Brilliant 10" by Popular Science »
Dr. Timothy Lovelace, is a professor of Law at Duke University and his work examines how the civil rights movement in the United States helped to shape international human rights law. In this new article entitled “Xenophobic Conspiracy Theories and the Long Roots of January Sixth”, Dr. Lovelace examines the current polarization in U.S. politics by considering how white nationalists have historically used xenophobic conspiracy theories to render some Americans as un-American, suppress votes,… read more about New issue of “Law and Contemporary Problems” feature article by Law faculty Dr. Timothy Lovelace. »
A. Eugene Washington, M.D., chancellor for health affairs at Duke University and president and chief executive officer for the Duke University Health System, has announced that he will step down from the roles on June 30, 2023. During his tenure at Duke Health, A. Eugene Washington led a transformation of Duke to focus more on promoting health and steered it through a challenging pandemic. Learn more about Chancellor Washington unparallel contribution to Duke Health System. read more about Dr. Eugene Washington To Step Down from Duke Health In 2023 »
Stephen Hayes, MFA, an Assistant Professor of Art, Art History and Visual Studies , sculpts history with an eye on changing the future. He did this to immortalize and carry on the work of the 1,600 American Colored Troops that advanced into the enemy fire guarding Wilmington which helped end the Civil War. Learn more about his work and his art at the Duke Alumni Magazine read more about Artist Stephen Hayes sculpts from history with an eye on changing the future »
The Duke Psychology and Neuroscience REU provides underrepresented students with the skills, socialization, connection, and continuity to begin developing a scholar-researcher identity. The program, led by three faculty members from the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience — Drs. Makeba Wilbourn, Sarah Gaither and Greg Samanez-Larkin — has one main goal: to mentor the next generation of diverse STEM scholars. Their sought-after expertise and shared motivation to diversify… read more about Summer Research Program Tackles Longstanding Issues in Diversifying Undergraduate Training Opportunities »
Black and Hispanic people face huge hurdles at technology companies and in computer-science education in the United States, with far-reaching consequences for science and all of society. Dr. Shani Daily, an electrical and computing engineer at Duke University, shares her experience and work on the impact of broadening participation in Computer Sciences. Read the full article at Nature Magazine. read more about Dr. Shani Daily Discusses With Nature Magazine How to Address Racism in Computer Science »
While there have been several conversations on attracting students of color without legacy background into higher education and graduate studies, especially in fields like social sciences, arts and humanities, the Mellon-Mays undergraduate fellowship has been leading this work successfully. This work has benefited Duke faculty and students, now Duke is pushing the frontiers of this work with a view to attracting more students. In this article, the new fellowship director Dr. Candis Watts Smith, Associate… read more about Smith & Jaji: Building Opportunities for Students, Diversity In The Academy Through the Mellon-Mays Program »
In Black Ephemera: The Crisis and Challenge of the Musical Archive (NYU Press, 2022), Dr. Mark Anthony Neal, James B. Duke Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of African and African American Studies, considers the opportunities and challenges that this vast archive represents for Black American culture, with a particular focus on music and sound. Read the full interview here read more about ‘Black Ephemera: The Crisis and Challenge of the Musical Archive' – An interview with Mark Anthony Neal »
The black freedom struggles from 19th century to the present inspires a new book written by Prof. Jasmine Nichole Cobb, Professor of African & African American Studies and of Art, Art History and Visual Studies at Duke University. Her research focuses on Black women, popular culture, and visual representation. Learn more and acquire your book from Duke Press. read more about Dr. Jasmine Cobb's Newest Book “New Growth: The Art and Texture of Black Hair” »
Dr. Maria Tackett (Stats) and collaborators will work together with other seven-institution research collaboration investigating current DEI obstacles and implement changes to address them. In doing this, they will leverage quantitative and qualitative data to engage key Math Department stakeholders in cycles of improvement. It is hoped that implementing the desired changes will increase participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Read more about… read more about Dr. Maria Tackett and Colleagues Were Awarded NSF Grant to Research DEI in Introductory Math »
The School for Advanced Research (SAR) presents the J. I. Staley Prize to a living author for a book that exemplifies outstanding scholarship and writing in anthropology. The award recognizes innovative works that go beyond traditional frontiers and dominant schools of thought in anthropology. Dr. Matory's book, "The Fetish Revisited: Marx, Freud, and the Gods Black People Make" was the recipient of the 2022 Staley Prize Winner. In a work of considerable ambition and insight,… read more about Dr. J. Lorand Matory Wins the 2022 J.I. Staley Prize »
Launched this year, a partnership between the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, The Science Diversity Leadership Award recognizes the leadership and scientific accomplishments of excellent biomedical researchers who — through their outreach, mentoring, and teaching — have a record of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in their scientific fields. Dr. Chantell Evans (SoM), Assistant Professor of Cell Biology and Dr. Gustavo… read more about Drs. Chantell Evans and Gustavo Silva win the CZI Science Diversity Leadership Awards »
The K. Ranga Rama Krishnan Associate Professor in Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Kafui Dzirasa, M.D., Ph.D., a Duke psychiatrist, and researcher has been awarded a total of $5.5M from the prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) Pioneer Award for 2022. His Pioneer Award will be used towards adapting a new tool, dubbed LinCx (long-term integration of circuits using connexins), to improve communication across brain cells. Read more about Dr. Dzirasa's award on DIBS read more about Dr. Kafui Dzirasa Wins Prestigious NIH Pioneer Award to Develop New Way to Fine-Tune Brain Circuits »
Dr. Tracie Canada, a new assistant Professor in Duke University’s Department of Cultural Anthropology sheds light on her work which impacts the worlds of black college athletes. Her research and teaching interests which lies in race, sport, kinship, and the performing body, and her in-progress book manuscript, “Tackling the Everyday: Race, Family and Nation in Big-Time College Football,” Read the full interview here read more about Dr. Tracie Canada Navigates the Worlds of Black College Athletes »
Dr. Hedwig (Hedy) Lee, the newest Professor of Sociology at Duke University is dedicated to measuring the invisible. She quantifies some of the most critical issues facing society today, such as racial and ethnic health disparities. When asked about her work, Dr. Lee points to a quote from Ralph Ellison’s novel “Invisible Man”: “I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.” Read more about Dr. Lee and her work here read more about Dr. Hedy Lee Finds Better Measures for Old Problems »
Dr. Johnna Frierson (SoM), whose experience in Duke cuts across diverse roles at Duke University since 2015 leads with a definite goal in mind: to create a balanced, more diverse, and equitable environment for students and trainees that are seeking to build their career in STEM and the basic sciences. As the newly appointed associate dean for equity, diversity, and inclusion, she her mission is to broaden that work by impacting more areas in the basic sciences. Read more her full Spotlight Interview here read more about Dr. Johnna Frierson leads Equity, Inclusion and Diversity in STEM. »
The 2023 Clinical Scientist Development Awards competition is now open and accepting pre-proposals. The Doris Duke Clinical Scientist Development Awards provide grants to junior physician scientists to facilitate their transition to independent clinical research careers. See the Request for Applications document for information on how to apply. The deadline to submit pre-proposals is Nov. 17, 2022, at 3 p.m. ET. Please visit the CSDA Frequently Asked Questions for additional information. Read… read more about Doris Duke: Clinical Scientist Development Awards »
Nominations are open for the 2022-23 Duke Presidential Awards, which will recognize exceptional contributions by staff and faculty members throughout Academic Year 2021-22. The Presidential Awards program, organized by the Office of the President in partnership with Duke Human Resources, recognizes individuals and teams who best demonstrate the values that define and shape Duke as an institution. The awards are the highest honor given to Duke to staff and faculty members. Nominations remain open through October 17, 2022.… read more about NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2022-23 DUKE PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS »
OFA Faculty Seed Grants are intended to provide a financial start for novel, faculty-led initiatives in academic units (schools, departments, divisions, centers and institutes) that aim to promote a vibrant and inclusive academic community and cultivate networks for faculty to collaborate and form meaningful relationships. Successful seed grants are intended to have a positive impact on academic units and may continue beyond the scope of the award to become long-term initiatives. The Office for Faculty… read more about Faculty Advancement Seed Grants 2023 »
“We’re seeing these policies and the necessity of moving beyond a very narrow definition of understanding of a policy like Title IX,” Dr. Deondra Rose said. Dr. Rose, an associate professor of public policy at Duke University who focuses on landmark social policies in the United States. “Some people are working to use Title IX to restrict and confine, and that’s out of step with the intention of the policy.” Read the full article in the New York Times read more about Dr. Deondra Rose Quoted in the NYT About the Title IX Anniversary »
Dr. Tyson H. Brown, Associate Professor of Sociology at Duke University, W.L.F. endowed chair, and director of the Center on Health & Society, reflects on his year exploring what went inside many units across the university as the inaugural Presidential Fellow. As he completes his work as a fellow – with engineering professor Adrienne Stiff-Roberts taking over the role in this school year, Brown says he leaves it with a better understanding of the complexity of the university which… read more about TYSON BROWN’S YEAR OF EXPLORING DUKE LEADERSHIP »
Stelfanie Williams will serve a second five-year term as vice president for Durham and community affairs, President Vincent Price announced this week. The reappointment followed a routine administrative review that was conducted by a committee chaired by Dave Kennedy, vice president for alumni engagement and development. Her new term begins July 1, 2023. “Stelfanie has been a remarkable leader, fostering relationships with our neighbors and partners across the region,” said Price. “Through the Strategic Community Impact… read more about STELFANIE WILLIAMS REAPPOINTED TO SECOND TERM AS VP FOR DURHAM & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS »
Dr. Felwine Sarr, Anne-Marie Bryan Distinguished Professor of Romance Studies at Duke, has been described in various biographies as a public intellectual, humanist, philosopher, economist, musician, playwright and poet. In 2021, he was named among Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people for his work to restitute African and Asian artworks to their countries of origin. A native of Senegal, where he taught at the University of Gaston-Berger in Saint Louis, Senegal, Sarr has been at Duke since 2020. His face and his… read more about U.S. Tour of Works by Felwine Sarr Comes to Duke Performances »
The Arts & Sciences Council’s Committee on Undergraduate Teaching has announced this year’s recipients of awards for excellence in undergraduate teaching. Congratulations Dr. Anne-Maria Makhulu, Associate Professor of Cultural Anthropology on receiving the 2022 Howard D. Johnson Award!! From colleagues: “She reached out across the campus to expose Business students and I&E students to ethnographic thinking in Business Anthropology and Anthropology of Design classes that offer students another… read more about Congratulations to Dr. Makhulu on receiving the Howard D. Johnson Teaching Award! »
The latest WRAL Documentary, Critical Term: Why are Black Mothers and Babies Dying, shines a light on the maternal and infant health crisis and what local programs are working to lower this rate. WRAL Investigative Documentary reporter and producers set out to understand why this is happening in the Black community. Their investigation uncovered startling instances of systemic racism leading to misconceptions about Black women and myths about their pain tolerance still taught to healthcare providers in the modern era. Dr… read more about Dr. Bentley-Edwards and Dr. McMillian-Bohler on "Critical Term: Why are Black mothers and babies dying?" »
Jennifer C. Nash is Jean Fox O’Barr Professor of Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies at Duke University and author of Birthing Black Mothers. In this article to Boston Reviews, Dr. Nash discusses Black motherhood through her personal experiences. "Freedom means a world where how I parent is simply mundane rather than overburdened with meaning". Read the full article here read more about Dr. Jennifer Nash: The Ordinary Pleasures of Black Motherhood »