The University of Michigan’s commitment to diversity and excellence is rooted in its history. Founded as a public institution to address the needs of society, the University has long supported faculty in undertaking research and scholarship that explores and illuminates multifaceted public concerns, educating students with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and helping to address challenges facing local, national, and global communities. It has recognized that diverse experiences and perspectives are the foundation for new ideas and innovative solutions to complex problems.
Acknowledging both our past contributions to diversity in many forms and the importance of continuing this work as the complexity of diversity shapes and challenges society, the University is proud to award the James S. Jackson Distinguished Career Award for Diversity Scholarship biennially. This award, recognizes a senior faculty member at the University of Michigan who has made important contributions to understanding diversity, equity, and inclusion through research, scholarship and creative endeavors, who has an outstanding record as an educator in teaching and mentoring, and whose work has focused on issues of importance to underrepresented communities.
Every other year, a senior faculty member whose research and scholarship — as well as teaching, mentoring, and public engagement — focus on diversity will be selected to receive the award and give a public lecture or performance addressing an aspect of diversity.