The Watson School considers diversity and inclusion central to its mission of promoting a just and peaceful world. Our commitment to these principles is reflected in our scholarship, policies and practice. The Watson School's Diversity and Inclusion Committee is comprised of faculty, staff and students who share a commitment to fostering the realization of these values at the Watson School.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Watson School considers diversity and inclusion as central to fulfilling its academic mission to advance knowledge and understanding.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Watson School considers diversity and inclusion as central to fulfilling its academic mission to advance knowledge and understanding.
Scholarship
The Watson School of International and Public Affairs is uniquely embedded within a university ecosystem that values openness, diverse perspectives, innovative education, and outstanding research. Faculty, students, and staff are committed to advancing knowledge on complex issues related to power, race, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and gender.
Practice
At the Watson School, we believe that addressing global challenges requires a community enriched by a wide range of perspectives. Inclusive scholarship and engagement are essential to advancing knowledge and developing effective, just, and lasting solutions.
Partnerships and Opportunities
Watson partners with the University’s U-FLi Center on regular dinners uniting first-generation and low-income students, faculty, and staff. In Fall 2023, Watson will also host a study group, "Leadership and Networks — Preparing for Future Opportunities," focusing on issues relevant to these students.
HBCU/HSI scholarships cover 50% of a student’s tuition for Brown’s Master of Public Affairs program. To be considered for these scholarship awards, students must be enrolled in, or graduates of, a Historically Black College or University or Hispanic Serving Institution.
Watson’s staff peer mentoring program partners new hires with established Watson staff members to provide informal support, information, engagement and encouragement throughout their first few months at the Institute.
Watson’s DIAP committee invites Watson-affiliated faculty interested in revising or creating courses that address issues of diversity and structural inequity. The Institute offers five awards per semester up to $1,500 each to hire a student research assistant to support efforts to address issues of structural inequality, racial disparities, and/or inequitable systems of power through coursework.
The Watson Equity in Policy Scholars program is a scholarship and leadership development opportunity for academically-excellent students admitted into and entering the Master of Public Affairs at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs.
Suggestion Box
Do you have ideas to enhance Diversity and Inclusion initiatives at Watson? Ideas for student programming, training, or cultural events? Do you have suggestions for how we can make the Watson Institute a more inclusive environment?
Watson DIAP Liaison
Melissa Nicholas serves as the DIAP Liaison for Watson, where she is responsible for overseeing and executing the strategic objectives detailed in the Institute's Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan. Her role involves monitoring the outcomes related to diversity and inclusion, communicating progress, planning and coordinating workshops, programs, and meetings, and acting as the primary contact point for inquiries about Watson's commitment to diversity and inclusion. If you have any questions or need to get in touch with Melissa, please feel free to reach out to her at melissa_nicholaus@brown.edu.
Brown University DIAP
"Pathways to Diversity and Inclusion: An Action Plan for Brown University" outlines a set of concrete, achievable actions to make Brown a more fully diverse and inclusive community.
Report an Incident
If a student, faculty, staff member, or University guest experiences or witnesses discriminatory or harassing behavior against themselves or others, including disability discrimination, denial of accessibility accommodations, sexual violence, gender-based discrimination, or retaliation, they may report it on the Office of Equity Compliance and Reporting (OECR) website.
Assessing Campus Climate
As part of its commitment to providing a learning environment free from discrimination and harassment and in support of the Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy, Brown University appoints and maintains a Campus Climate Response Team (CCRT).
The CCRT is responsible for monitoring and assessing campus climate and developing, coordinating and implementing strategies, interventions, training, and education to address as needed campus climate challenges and concerns. Members provide subject matter expertise as needed in the assessment of reports and/or complaints. The team meets on a regular basis (at least monthly, more often as required) to review and assess de-identified information regarding campus climate to carry out its responsibilities. The team assesses, monitors and determines any trends and informs the campus community of significant developments as appropriate.
Course Designation
DIAP Courses on Race, Gender, and Inequality examine issues of structural inequality, racial formations and/or disparities and systems of power within a complex, pluralistic world. Learn more about how to find or designate a course.
Brown University Land Acknowledgement
Brown has developed an official land acknowledgment as part of a set of commitments to build a better understanding of the relationship between the University, the Indigenous peoples of this region and the land on which Brown is situated.
The Sheridan Center
The Sheridan Center offers publications and online resources addressing a wide range of teaching and learning topics, including inclusive teaching, writing pedagogy, mentoring and course design. The Inclusive Teaching section, in particular, covers many topics that Watson faculty and students regularly discuss, including syllabus development, supporting diverse students and inclusive classroom discussions.
Co-Chairs:
Annette Ogunnaike
Michael Kennedy
Melissa Nicholaus
Members:
Alexander Batten
April Huth
Catherine Rodarte
David Blanding
Eduardo Gopar
Eric Emma
Geri Augusto
Kathryn Dunkelman
Menny Gonzalez Miramontes
Matthew Lyddon
Nasrin Azizy
Ulviya Narmin Hoque Chisty
Wendy Schiller
Pete Bilderback