As part of the University’s commitment to advance scholarship related to racial justice and to address the challenges of racism and racial bias that persist in our nation, Penn State is seeking applications for the role of founding director of the new Center for Racial Justice.
The creation of the Center for Racial Justice was announced last year by Penn State President Eric Barron as part of the University’s ongoing efforts to advance the work of the Select Presidential Commission on Racism, Bias and Community Safety.
“The center will focus on research and scholarship around racism and racial bias while drawing from expertise across Penn State’s colleges and campuses, with a focus on translating scholarship into educational opportunities, fostering public engagement, and informing policy decisions at the University, state, and national levels,” stated Lora Weiss, senior vice president for research.
The center will be housed within the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) to enable researchers to draw from the expertise in Penn State’s interdisciplinary institutes and to engage in collaboration across multiple departments and disciplines.
The creation of the center aligns with Penn State’s Strategic Plan, which outlines “Advancing Inclusion, Equity and Diversity” as one of the plan’s foundations.
Marinda K. Harrell-Levy, associate professor of human development and family studies at Penn State Brandywine, and Koraly Perez-Edgar, McCourtney Professor of Child Studies and SSRI associate director, will serve as co-chairs of the search committee, which includes representation from across the University.
The Center for Racial Justice founding director will report to the SSRI director and will work with an advisory committee to create and implement a multi-year strategic plan for the center. The director, with the support of the advisory committee, will be responsible for supporting interdisciplinary and cross-methodological research from across Penn State’s campuses and academic programs; providing resources for new faculty hires using SSRI’s established model for co-funded positions within academic colleges; and creating a fellowship program that enables faculty to focus on critical research within the scope of the center’s activities.
The director will also oversee the creation of research and scholarship opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows; coordinate research in collaboration and partnership with other institutes and centers across the University; drive outreach opportunities that promote public engagement and the dissemination of knowledge; and support the University’s broader efforts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion across the institution.
Candidates should have an outstanding record of academic leadership and research accomplishment. The successful candidate will hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field and will hold a tenured appointment at the level of full or associate professor in a relevant academic department.
