Thank you for your interest in a career at the UCSB Economics Department! The University of California is committed to excellence and equity in every facet of its mission. Contributions in all areas of faculty achievement that promote equal opportunity and diversity are encouraged and given due recognition in the evaluation of each candidate’s qualifications.
A Diversity Statement is required as one component of a complete application, and will be reviewed by the search committee along with your other materials. This statement should describe your past, present, and planned contributions to equity, diversity, and/or inclusion. The examples below will guide you in writing an effective statement on contributions to diversity. Although this is not an exhaustive inventory, relevant contributions might include:
1. Teaching
Contributions to pedagogies addressing different learning styles, for example:
- Designing courses or curricula that meet the needs of educationally disadvantaged students
- Developing effective teaching strategies for the educational advancement of students from under-represented groups
- Strategies to encourage both critical thinking and respectful dialogue in the classroom
Experience teaching students who are under-represented, for example:
- Teaching at a minority-serving institution
- Record of success advising women and minority graduate students
- Experience teaching students with disabilities
2. Research
Research that contributes to our understanding of inequality in economic status and wellbeing as it affects all groups in the population, policies and programs that influence inequality, and the barriers faced by and experiences of disadvantaged groups, for example:
- Research that sheds light on the experiences of oppressed or under-represented communities
- Research that seeks to improve the lives of underserved communities
- Creating inclusive and respectful research environments
3. Professional Activity
Engagement in activity designed to remove barriers and to increase participation by groups historically under-represented in higher education:
- Participation in academic preparation, outreach, or tutoring
- Participation in recruitment and retention activities
- Service as an advisor to programs such as Women in Science and Engineering
4. University and Public Service
Participation in service that applies up-to-date knowledge to problems, issues, and concerns of groups historically underrepresented in higher education:
- Participation with professional or scientific associations or meetings that aim to increase diversity or address the needs of underrepresented students, staff, or faculty
- Outreach activities designed to remove barriers and to increase the participation of individuals from underrepresented groups
- Honors, awards, and other forms of special recognition such as commendations from local or national groups or societies representing under-served communities
- Supporting student organizations that serve underrepresented groups
- Serving on university or college committees related to equity and inclusion, or preventing sexual harassment and sexual violence
5. Knowledge and Understanding
- Knowledge of, experience with, and interest in dimensions of diversity that result from different identities, such as ethnic, socioeconomic, racial, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and cultural differences
- Familiarity with demographic data related to diversity in higher education
- Comfort discussing diversity-related issues
- Understanding of mentorship power dynamics and personal-professional boundaries between faculty and students
- Understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented individuals, and the need to identify and eliminate barriers to their full and equitable participation and advancement
