Harvard University New Ladder Faculty Institute 2018

TL;DR

Harvard's 29th president, Lawrence S. Bacow, welcomes new faculty members and emphasizes the importance of collaboration and open-mindedness in academia.

Transcript

JUDITH D. SINGER: Thank you all. I'm Judy Singer. I'm the senior vice provost for faculty development and diversity, and I am also a professor of statistics at the Graduate School of Education. And on behalf of all of Harvard, I would like to invite you to this new faculty institute. This is the 11th year that we've been doing this, and it's a chan... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥰 Harvard University welcomes new faculty members through an annual faculty institute, which provides an opportunity to meet colleagues and hear from experienced faculty members.
• 😜 The best ideas are valued at Harvard, regardless of rank or background, promoting a culture of open-mindedness and collaboration.
• 👨‍🔬 The Harvard community is invested in the success of faculty members, providing resources and support for them to excel in their research and scholarship.
• 🧑‍🎓 Diversity is an increasingly important aspect of Harvard, with a focus on gender and racial diversity among both faculty and students.
• 👨‍🏫 "One Harvard" refers to efforts to promote interdisciplinary collaborations and connections across different departments and schools.
• 🎓 The university aims to provide technological tools to facilitate connections and collaborations between faculty members with common interests.
• 🖐️ Judith D. Singer, the senior vice provost for faculty development and diversity, plays a vital role in facilitating connections and supporting faculty development.

Questions & Answers

Q: What advice does President Bacow give to new faculty members?

President Bacow advises new faculty members to remember that in a great university, the best idea wins. Regardless of rank or background, faculty members should treat their colleagues with respect and stand up for their own ideas and scholarship.

Q: How does President Bacow address the intimidation factor at Harvard?

Bacow acknowledges that everyone, including new students and faculty, can feel intimidated by Harvard's reputation. However, he assures new faculty members that everyone at the institution is invested in their success and will provide support, resources, and an environment conducive to groundbreaking work.

Q: What is the significance of Harvard's growing diversity?

Harvard is increasingly diverse, with a significant proportion of female and minority faculty members. This diversity enhances the quality of scholarship and creates a more inclusive and representative academic community.

Q: What is the concept of "one Harvard" that was mentioned?

"One Harvard" refers to the university's effort to break down barriers and encourage collaboration and connections between different departments and schools. The goal is to foster interdisciplinary research and create a cohesive academic community.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Harvard University welcomes new faculty members and provides an opportunity for them to meet and connect with colleagues across the institution.

• President Bacow encourages faculty members to treat each other equally, regardless of rank or previous experience, fostering an environment where the best ideas thrive.

• Bacow highlights the supportive nature of the Harvard community, where everyone is invested in the success of faculty members and aims to provide resources and opportunities for unparalleled research and scholarship.