Diversity Statement

C4I Diversity Statement

The Center for Interdisciplinarity (C4I) recognizes that only an academic and organizational culture which actively seeks out and strengthens diverse voices and perspectives among its members results in true excellence. Promoting a culture in which diverse perspectives are sought after and nurtured not only promotes a socially just culture, it also creates conditions in which multiple perspectives lead to richer knowledge. C4I operates using an inclusive definition of diversity which includes, but is not limited to, race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion and spirituality, disability, and geographic region. C4I is committed to improving and promoting diversity for faculty, staff, and students interested in interdisciplinarity. In terms of hiring, C4I seeks candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that intellectual leadership is achieved through open access and pro-active inclusion. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer.

C4I Diversity Practices

C4I demonstrates its commitment to improving and promoting diversity through a variety of means, including (but not limited to):

Advisory Board:

C4I has an internal advisory board (IAB) made up of five faculty members from the Dept. Of Philosophy, five additional faculty members from the College of Arts and Letters, and four from across Michigan State. C4I hosts an annual IAB meeting to seek feedback and mentorship from the board members.

Community Involvement:

One of C4I’s flagship programs is the Transdisciplinary Graduate Fellows Program, which pairs students with community partners for a nine-month transdisciplinary research project. Our partners have included Mid-Michigan Health, the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, and the Food Bank Council of Michigan. Diversity is a priority in selecting graduate student fellows.

Events:

C4I offers the University Interdisciplinary Colloquium (UIC) during the Spring and Fall semesters. The UIC series of talks offers all members of our community a chance to experience the breadth of interdisciplinary research, teaching, and work at Michigan State University. C4I also requires that all participants in events agree to the C4I Code of Conduct. Diversity is a priority in identifying speakers for the series.

Hiring:

C4I seeks candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that intellectual leadership is achieved through open access and pro-active inclusion. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer.

Research:

Our faculty include members who do research on the roles of race and gender in epistemic exclusion. We also partner with University Outreach and Engagement to host events that highlight community-engaged research.

Services:

C4I offers a variety of services (e.g.: strategic planning, interdisciplinary career development workshops) that consider diversity in their design and implementation.