This resource hub offers tools to help foster a better sense of belonging in academia. These are resources we have found meaningful in supporting understanding, dialogue, and change around issues of race and equity. Whether you're a student, faculty member, or administrator, you’ll a range of resources designed to support individuals and institutions in their efforts. We are always open to feedback and suggestions for additional resources to make this collection even more impactful and useful.
Equitable and Inclusive Practices
Avoiding Racial Bias in Letter of Reference Writing (University of California, Merced)
Tips to Avoid Racial Bias in Letters of RecommendationA one-page sheet with tips to avoid racial bias in letters of recommendation. Modified from the similar resource on Avoiding Gender Bias in Letter of Reference Writing from the University of Arizona.
Equitable Practices for Writing, Reading, and Soliciting Letters of Recommendation (Equity in Graduate Education, USC)
Strategies on Equitable Use of Letters of RecommendationThis brief guide provides evidence-based strategies related to the equitable use of letters of recommendation in higher education. More research-based guides can be found on the Equity in Graduate Education website.
Allyship & Talking About Race
Speak Up: Responding to Everyday Bigotry (Southern Poverty Law Center)
Practical Strategies for Allies to Call Out and Stand Against BigotryThis website provides a number of practical strategies for allies to call out and stand against bigotry in everyday situations. The content is conveniently organized into 36 sections, by situation (e.g., What can I do at work? What can I do about my own bias?)
Anti-racism and Allyship Journey (Stanford Graduate School of Business)
A 7-day Self-Educational Journey in Anti-racism and AllyshipThis resource provides a workbook for individuals to embark on a 7-day self-educational journey in anti-racism and allyship. The seven topics are: taking the pledge and thinking about race, unconscious or implicit bias, conversations across race, defining and applying anti-racism, identifying intersectionality, embracing allyship authentically, and creating an action plan.
Race, Research and Policy Portal (Harvard Kennedy School Shorenstein Center)
Summaries of Research Articles Related to racism, Racial Equality, and Anti-racismThis resource portal provides summaries of curated research articles and other publications related to racism, racial equality, and anti-racism. Users can search the portal by topic; this specific link takes visitors to search results related to allyship and microaggressions.
Communicating with Students about Racial Violence (Equity in Graduate Education, University of Southern California)
Guidance for Educators on How to Discuss Racial Violence with StudentsThis brief guide provides guidance and resources for educators on how to discuss racial violence with students. More research-based guides can be found on the Equity in Graduate Education website.
Talking About Race Web Portal (National Museum of African American History & Culture)
Educational Resources to Help Talk About RaceThis web portal provides educational resources to help educators, parents, or persons committed to equity, talk about race. Content is organized into seven topics: bias, community building, historical foundations of race, race and racial identity, self-care, social identities and systems of oppression, and whiteness.
Foundational Concepts and Affirming Language (Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (OEDIB) Harvard University)
Downloadable Glossary of Key TermsHere you’ll find a downloadable glossary of key terms related to fostering belonging that can be used to ground one’s understanding and to facilitate important conversations.
Davidson Microaggressions Project
A Guide to Recognizing MicroaggressionsThis website provides an introduction to microaggressions and includes a number of examples of microaggressions experienced by students and faculty in higher education.
Experiences of URM Colleagues in Higher Education
“I’m a Black Female Scientist. On My First Day of Work, a Colleague Threatened to Call the Cops on Me.”
An article depicting Raven Baxter’s experiences of being a Black, woman scientisAn article depicting Raven Baxter’s experiences of being a Black, woman scientist. Baxter is a molecular biologist and science communicator who is currently working towards a PhD in Education.
“For Black Scientists, the Sorrow is Also Personal”
An essay by medical doctor and neuroscientist Dr. Kafui DzirasaAn essay by medical doctor and neuroscientist Dr. Kafui Dzirasa about his experiences as an African American scientist in academia.
“Not all Scars are Visible: A Classmate’s Tale of Police Brutality”
An essay written by an anonymous Neuroscience PhD studentAn essay written by an anonymous Neuroscience PhD student at University of California, San Francisco about their previous mistreatment by police and the criminal justice system.