Advancing Racial Equity at Duke

An aerial of West Campus buildings with Duke Chapel in the background

Given Duke’s location in the American South and history as an institution that systemically excluded Black Americans from the opportunity to learn and teach, we have an obligation to actively dismantle any remaining effects of that legacy.  

The results of our first Campus Climate Survey (now Campus Culture Survey) reinforce the importance of addressing challenges facing the Black and underrepresented members of our community. This site is a growing repository of information about our equity work, including data regularly collected and publicized to monitor our progress, details of new and ongoing programs, research highlights, and educational and training materials for wider use across the Duke community.

Duke staff, faculty and students are invited to share their experiences in the new Campus Culture Survey that will be available through March 17th. As a follow-up to the 2021 survey, the new survey will help show where progress has been made and where more effort is needed to create a more welcoming, supportive and equitable campus environment.

Learn About The Survey

“With the first Duke Campus Culture Survey, we realized that the racial and ethnic identities on campus were leading to different experiences at Duke… It is a living document, and it’s an opportunity for all of us to use it and to learn from what others are doing.” 

– Associate Vice Provost in the Office for Faculty Advancement , Sherilynn Black

Racial Equity Advisory Council (REAC)

Kim Hewitt, Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer, and Abbas Benmamoun, Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement, highlight the objectives of REAC.

Voices from the
Duke Community

People from across the university volunteer for REAC subcommittees to add a variety of perspective on this important work.

Learn more about the REAC subcommittees

Campus Climate & Assessment

Using data to identify gaps in policy and practices, and informing educational and training opportunities that support equity at Duke.

Education

Examining how Duke engages in racial equity work through knowledge and skill development, as well as how to support units to improve climate through learning.

Communication

Working to increase transparency and engagement related to race and equity work on campus by increasing efforts to inform and involve each member of the community.

Infrastructure & Policies

Examining the capacity and structural support for strategic initiatives and reviewing institutional policies and practices that address equity.

“We are deepening our commitments to racial and social equity, and I am very grateful for the continued work of the Racial Equity Advisory Council and the Offices of Institutional Equity and Faculty Advancement, which are driving this important initiative into its third year.”

-President Vincent E. Price

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