Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are more pervasive than you think

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Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are more pervasive than you think

Historically, American universities hired faculty members based on the quality of their scholarship. The process was meritocratic, with the most successful candidates having an impressive track record of research and teaching.

More recently, hiring committees have come to value something else: a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Faculty applicants are increasingly evaluated based on mandatory DEI statements, where candidates must demonstrate experience and interest in DEI ideology.

In a new report published by the American Enterprise Institute, a co-author and I examined a random subset of roughly 1,000 job opportunities posted during the fall of 2020 to determine how frequently DEI statements are required and how requirements vary across academic disciplines, geographical region, and university type.

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