The School of Human Ecology has a century-long history of improving the well-being of children and families, particularly those who are underrepresented and underserved in our communities.
Building on that foundation, the school’s Equity & Justice Network initiative supports the continued evolution of our school into a community wherein people with diverse backgrounds find success, share knowledge, and advance justice.
Recognizing that progress in this work depends equally on education, action, and relationships, the network is a school initiative that both establishes a platform to connect existing efforts of faculty, students, and staff across the school and also invests in interdisciplinary, topic-based projects that address questions and possibilities in the spheres of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Equity & Justice Network Summer Institute
Rising juniors and seniors from our Historically Black College and University partners participate in an intensive introduction to UW–Madison.
Efforts & Priorities
Existing efforts
- The School of Human Ecology’s Center for Financial Security Retirement and Disability Research Center, in partnership with Howard University, hosts an annual Junior Scholars Intensive Training, supporting underrepresented scholars in the field establish key relationships and refine their research skills.
- In the wake of historic Black Lives Matter uprisings in summer 2020, the School’s Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies is hosting a series of public conversations on racial justice featuring local and national leaders on the topic.
- A member of the Black Family Resilience research cluster at the School, Dr. Alvin Thomas leads a Black fatherhood initiative, including weekly Facebook Live conversations addressing Black men’s mental health under the “twin pandemics” of COVID-19 and systemic racism.
In the School of Human Ecology’s (SoHE) strategic plan for 2018-23, a clear goal was set to: “foster inclusive and equitable learning and working practices throughout SoHE, ensuring that SoHE is accessible, welcoming and effective for all.”
Priority components
Scholarly Communities
Highlight cross-unit areas of study and outreach for faculty and graduate students
Targeted Opportunities
Recruit and retain under-represented graduate and undergraduate students within their disciplines
Just Action
Support groups of faculty, students, and/or staff in their applied social justice work
Equity & Justice Network Leadership
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Janean Dilworth-BartAssociate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Graduate Education | Professor of Human Development & Family Studies