In line with the 2030 Strategic Plan, the Faculty Research Council has created a new literacy reference guide compiling resources related to identifying and combating bias in academic research.
The guide, published through the Kraemer Family Library, brings together the faculty body’s collective wisdom on bias in academic and non-academic workplaces. Resources within the guide address topics including how faculty are assessed for tenure and promotion, how characteristics like race, gender, ability and national origin impact the work life of people in academic workplaces and how issues of bias and inclusion play out in the classroom.
“My hope is that this resource guide will help people at UCCS do what academics do best – educate themselves with books, articles, toolkits and narratives that both describe the biases inherent in our research structures and examine strategies for dismantling those biases,” said Jessi Smith, associate vice chancellor for research. “Of course, no one article can do that heavy lift. This is why having an entire reference guide is useful as people look for the spaces and places they can have the most impact or want to know more about.”
“Research tells us time and again that our institution was set up in ways that privileges certain types of knowledge, certain methods and certain types of people. The only way we can start to break this up and ensure we include all voices and ways of knowing into our academic research and creative processes is to shine a light on those dark spots and get to work in making real equity and inclusion happen right here at UCCS.”
The guide was created as part of the 2030 Strategic Plan’s core strategy on research, which will promote research and creative excellence that generates new knowledge, benefits society and expands transformational experiences for students. It will help campus to meet the stated objective in the strategic plan of ensuring accountability and bias-free implementation of research related policies, incentives and programs.
As a living resource, the Faculty Research Council hopes it will continue to grow.
“We really see the collection as a living thing, and the UCCS community is strongly invited to contribute and comment,” said Larry Eames, instruction librarian and the Kraemer Family Library representative to the Faculty Research Council. “Resources like this guide grow stronger the more minds contribute to it.”
Individuals interested in adding to the collection may suggest new resources. Visit the reference guide online.