Advancing Racial Equity at Duke

Racial Equity Advisory Council Year 1 Update

June 15, 2022

The Racial Equity Advisory Council (REAC) and its subcommittees have issued an update on their efforts over the past year to advance racial equity at Duke. Explore each subcommittee below to see the progress that has been made and the steps still to be taken.

Campus Climate & Assessment

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

Catalog survey instruments developed locally in schools and units for shared access for Duke leaders
Develop guide to catalog and document institutional data sources for the university community
Develop and conduct pay equity analyses, including retention and promotion studies
Develop toolkit to assist local leaders in translating survey data into measurable actions

Education

Examining how Duke engages in racial equity work through the academic curriculum and instruction, as well as how to support units to improve climate through learning.

Develop a database of educational activities Duke-wide focused on racial equity and anti-racism
Identify core constituencies for developing this database
Develop a tool for soliciting information from units
Explore strategies for engaging each school to reimagine its curriculum

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.

Solicit personal stories for storytelling initiative
Update Racial Equity website
Define the relationship between advancing racial equity and Duke Values
Create and monitor feedback channels
Create and manage an editorial calendar

Infrastructure & Policies

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

Develop a racial equity advancement rubric for measuring progress on racial equity and running the model for selected units
Develop recommendations on pay equity and promotion/retention
Work to address concerns about advancement opportunities

We are committed today and throughout the future of Duke to addressing systemic racism on our campus and setting an example for our nation and the world.

Our efforts will need to be focused and sustained, with clear goals and transparency as we work toward them. Going forward, this website will be a central repository of information about our anti-racism 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.

Explore the results from the 2021 Duke Campus Climate Survey and learn more about the Racial Equity Advisory Council (REAC) created to increase support for efforts to address findings of the survey.

Our Commitments

We must be clear about our goals and ensure that anti-racism and equity remain long-term priorities for Duke, woven carefully into every aspect of our institutional strategy and culture.

Our Commitments