equitable decisions

In all parts of academia, there are opportunities to make equitable decisions based on best practices and with minimal bias.

This includes faculty searches, proposal selection committees, chairing effective meetings and more.

Yet many of us have questions on how to make the best decisions, from ways to write job ads or calls for proposals to going through applications and choosing a candidate or proposal using fair processes.

We’ve complied a new guide to offer current information across a variety of related topics to help you and your committee make the best decisions possible.

Chairing Effective Meetings

Why it matters: Effective and inclusive meetings are more productive and indicate a culture of collaboration and kindness. But getting everyone on board can be hard. See our information for making your meetings as effective as possible — before you start inviting everyone.

Learn more
As a faculty member, you’ll be meeting – a lot. So let’s make sure your meetings are as inclusive as possible, while also being productive and efficient.

To stay on task and get the most benefit from meeting times, consider the following:
- Each meeting should start with an establishment of the agenda and a reminder that discussions are confidential if personnel issues (eg hiring, reappointment, promotion & tenure) are being discussed.
- Work towards a meeting culture in which everyone is comfortable participating and different perspectives can be considered before making decisions
- Keep discussions on track:
  - Faculty candidate applications should be discussed based on preferred qualifications.
    
    Proposals should be evaluated based on stated priorities and requirements in the request for proposals.
    
    Reappointment, tenure, and promotion discussions should be based on established department, school/college, and university expectations.
- Summarize next steps and decisions at the end of the meeting.
- End meetings on time or early.
Learn more in lesson three of our guide to equitable faculty searches. This section is applicable for any type of committee meeting.

Making Equitable Decisions in Faculty Search

Why it matters: Embarking on your first faculty search or making your current search process better can be an exciting time. It can also be filled with many quandaries.

We’ve developed a guide to assist with process questions and ethical decisions that you’ll face as you help grow your institution and add to its expertise and personality.

Our guide

In collaboration with Office of Academic Affairs, we have created a guide to equitable faculty searches.

Learn more and explore the resources available for faculty search committee members. You can step through each part of the search process or jump to the information you need. We’ll be updating the information as we receive feedback and identify additional resources.

Writing Bias free Letters of Recommendation

Why it matters: As a faculty member, you’ll be asked for many letters of recommendation for students and colleagues. This can be a tough and time consuming task, and research shows that letter writers often allow gender and other biases to show up in their letters, often unintentionally. This hurts good candidates for jobs, promotions, grants or awards.

So, how should you write a recommendation that’s free of bias? Best practices recommend you acknowledge that bias is part of the process, and consider it in the way you approach your letters. Read more in our guide.

Our guide

Reviewing Proposals with best practices in mind

Why it matters: Committees that review proposals for grant funding and other competitions play a crucial role in the success of faculty research. But it’s one place bias can show up. We’re developing a guide to help you gather a committee and make the best decisions possible.

Coming soon

Being Equitable About Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Decisions

Why it matters: Getting promoted and making tenure are among the biggest milestones in faculty careers. Make sure the committees you serve on are following best practices with our upcoming guide.

Coming soon