In Spring 2021 the EDI Committee secured an outside expert to conduct interviews with current and former graduate students of color to get their sense of the department climate for graduate education and research. A report of the findings was presented to and reviewed by the EDI committee during Summer 2021, and presented to the department faculty in Fall 2021. With permission of the (anonymous) respondents, the full report is available here. The report includes several anecdotes reflecting challenges and opportunities for growth and improvement.
The EDI Committee, Director of Graduate Studies, and Department Chair are working in concert to use this report to guide sustainable initiatives to address and assess climate for graduate education and training. Comments on the report can be sent to individuals in any of the above named positions. Contact information can be found on the Psychology Department website.
Special thanks to graduate students Lena Warnke and Raea Rasmussen for leading this initiative, and to the many graduate students who contributed their time and reflections.