91社区 faculty members will embark on a year-long series of research projects exploring the perpetuation of systemic racism in society that has resulted in economic inequities, social injustices, police violence and other issues. The initiative is designed to create deeper understanding of these complex problems while forging solutions and productive community partnerships.
A $500,000 fund has been jointly established by the Office of the Provost and USF Research & Innovation to support the first round of projects, which will be awarded by the end of August. USF faculty are invited to submit broad-based, multidisciplinary research proposals that involve diverse researchers from across the university.
The effort is guided by a newly formed task force of USF faculty and staff from campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, known as the USF Research Task Force on Understanding and Addressing Blackness and Anti-Black Racism in our Local, National and International Communities. It was prompted by several factors, including the long-standing issues of racism and institutional violence brought to the forefront by the recent deaths of Black men, women and children due to excessive force from law enforcement, the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the nation鈥檚 Black communities and other concerns.
鈥淭he 91社区 community is embarking on new conversations about addressing systemic racism and the role faculty, students and staff can play in creating greater understanding in our society,鈥� said USF President Steven Currall, who called upon the university to expand and enhance current efforts to promote inclusion, opportunity, civility and upward economic mobility in a June 8 letter. 鈥淥ur researchers are well-positioned to help USF serve as a force for positive change and to lead transformation in our communities.鈥�
The new effort reinforces USF鈥檚 Principles of Community, which affirm the values of inclusivity, equity and mutual respect. It鈥檚 one of a number of actions planned by Currall and other university leaders in light of recent events and ongoing conversations with Black faculty, staff and students that will be announced soon.
鈥淭he content and mission of this initiative are directly responsive to a major recommendation included in a letter submitted to President Currall on behalf of Black employees at USF in June that calls on the university to expand resources for community partnerships and bring together teams of faculty, students and staff,鈥� said Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman, associate professor of sociology, member of the task force and member of the Black Faculty & Staff Association. 鈥淯SF is already demonstrating its commitment to engaging in ongoing and sustained efforts to address systemic racism because this is only the first phase of a broader plan.鈥�
The task force will aim to support research proposals that include community-based projects and programs, and projects that are positioned for sustained, external grant funding from local or federal agencies, corporate partners or other private sector foundations.
The members of the task force are:
Dr. Pritish Mukherjee (co-Chair), Office of the Provost
Dr. Paul Sanberg (co-Chair), USF Research & Innovation
Ms. Eddie Aikins, USF Research & Innovation
Dr. Fenda Akiwumi, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Geosciences and Institute for Black Life
Dr. Raymond Arsenault, College of Arts and Sciences, 91社区 Studies
Mr. Richard Berman, USF Research & Innovation and Muma College of Business Center for Entrepreneurship
Dr. Alicia Best, College of Public Health
Dr. Michael Bloom, USF Office of Corporate Partnerships
Dr. Kathy Bradley-Klug, College of Education
Dr. Haywood Brown, Morsani College of Medicine and Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Dr. Heide Castaneda, College of Arts and Sciences, Anthropology
Ms. Vickie Chachere, USF Research & Innovation
Dr. Deirdre Cobb-Roberts, College of Education, Educational and Psychological Studies
Dr. Kyaien Conner, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Mental Health Law and Policy
Dr. Kelly Cowart, Muma College of Business
Dr. Barbara Cruz, College of Education, Social Science Education
Ms. Judi Dorn, USF Research & Innovation
Dr. Aisha Durham, College of Arts and Sciences, Communication, affiliated with Africana Studies, Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies, and Humanities and Cultural Studies
Dr. Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman, College of Arts and Sciences, Sociology
Dr. Delroy Hunter, Muma College of Business
Dr. Antoinette Jackson, College of Arts and Sciences, Anthropology
Dr. Navita James, College of Arts and Sciences, Communication
Dr. Jean Kabongo, Muma College of Business
Dr. Randy Larsen, College of Arts and Sciences, Chemistry
Ms. Judy Lowry, USF Research & Innovation
Dr. James McHale, College of Arts and Sciences, Psychology
Ms. Cerise Mullings, USF Research & Innovation
Dr. K. Stephen Prince, College of Arts and Sciences, History
Dr. Cheryl Rodriguez, College of Arts and Sciences, Interdisciplinary Global Studies
Dr. Kristen Salomon, College of Arts and Sciences, Psychology
Dr. Kevin Sneed, Taneja College of Pharmacy
Ms. Jayde Stewart, National Academy of Inventors
Dr. Steven Tauber, College of Arts and Sciences, Interdisciplinary Global Studies
Dr. Sylvia Thomas, College of Engineering, Electrical Engineering
Ms. Ilana Thomsett, Office of the Provost
Dr. Maya Trotz, College of Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Dr. William Tyson, College of Arts and Sciences, Sociology
Dr. Joseph Vandello, College of Arts and Sciences, Psychology
Dr. Brenda Walker, College of Education, Exceptional Student Education Program
Dr. Stephanie Williams, Office of the Provost