Call for Applications

Justice and Equity Design Initiative (JEDI) writing and creative practice retreat

Message from Gerardo Sandoval, Dean’s Fellow for Diversity
May 14, 2019

Dear College of Design Faculty:

You are encouraged to apply for the College of Design’s upcoming Justice and Equity Design Initiative (JEDI) writing and creative practice retreat on the Oregon Coast September 20–22, 2019.

What is JEDI?

The Justice and Equity Design Initiative (JEDI), aims to expand and amplify the attention given to equity and inclusion research and creative practice within the College of Design. JEDI will support and highlight research by self-identified underrepresented faculty of color and allies whose research focuses on justice and equity issues within the design disciplines. The initiative’s four priorities include the organization of research seminars on justice and equity issue; lunch talks on justice and design research; inviting relevant speakers from outside the college; and a writing and creative project retreat for faculty. Elevating such research discourse within the College of Design will create a more inclusive environment for faculty engaged in this type of work as we prioritize recruitment and retention of diverse faculty. There is also an essential student component to our plan. JEDI has provided some funding to support the student-run annual HOPES conference, to encourage and facilitate students’ ability to highlight equity research and invite speakers working on issues of justice, equity, and inclusion. We are confident that JEDI will have a powerful impact on the College of Design’s population and encourage diversity-related activities.

The JEDI writing and creative practice retreat

The initiation of the JEDI writing and creative practice retreat is motivated by the College of Design’s present shortage of diverse faculty, especially related to racial and ethnic minority representation. The college’s few self-identified faculty members of color are in most cases the lone such member of their departments or one of few. The JEDI writing and creative practice retreat targets this problem by providing a space for faculty to write, for faculty to interact with each other to build social and intellectual capital, and for faculty to share concrete strategies for increasing their writing productivity. During the retreat faculty will also discuss: 1) ways to create a supportive network of self-identified faculty of color and allies whose research focuses on issues of justice and equity; 2) strategies within the College of Design to help highlight the level of faculty research and creative practice related to justice and equity; and 3) strategies to disseminate that research to a broader audience including students, administrators, staff, and other faculty both inside and outside the college.

Who can participate in the writing retreat?

The retreat is open to TTF and NTTF faculty within the College of Design. Priority will be given to self-identified underrepresented faculty of color and allies whose research and creative practice is closely aligned with issues of justice and equity.

Where and when will the retreat take place?

The retreat will take place at the coast near Lincoln City.

Dates are Friday September 20 to Sunday September 22. This will be a three-day, two night, writing retreat. We will begin Friday after 4:00 p.m. and end Sunday by 11:00 a.m. The drive from Eugene is 2.5 hours and participants are encouraged to carpool.

Cost of the writing retreat?

We were able to secure funding through the UO’s Division of Equity and Inclusion for the retreat. Hence, the College of Design Equity and Inclusion Committee will cover your lodging, meals, and travel to and from the retreat. Participation will be limited to 10-12 faculty in order to encourage meaningful interactions between participants.

How to apply to the retreat?

Provide a short statement that answers the following questions: How do you see the writing and creative practice retreat being useful to your scholarship or creative practice? Also, do you self-identify as faculty of color or ally, and, if so, in what way?

Send your statement to Gerardo Sandoval, gsando@uoregon.edu by June 1, 2019.

Sincerely,

Gerardo F. Sandoval, PhD
Associate Professor, School of Planning, Public Policy and Management
Dean’s Fellow for Diversity, College of Design