American universities are hiring based on devotion to diversity

Mandatory statements are quickly taking hold of academia

Boston, MA - May 13: Students walk across the field of Fenway Park as they arrive to the Northeastern University Commencement in Boston on May 13, 2022. Despite spending half of their undergrad career in a pandemic, the class of 2022 made it through and celebrated with family and friends in Boston. (Photo by Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) — Image: Getty Images

Feb 4th 2023|Washington, DC

The university of california, Berkeley is currently advertising for a “director of cell culture, fly food, media prep and on-call glass washing facilities”. Applicants need an advanced degree and a decade of research experience, and must submit a cv, a cover letter and a research statement. They must also send in a statement on their contributions to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. Seemingly everyone (this director, the next head of preservation for the library, anyone who dreams of a tenured professorship) must file a statement outlining their understanding of diversity, their past contributions to increasing it and their plans “for advancing equity and inclusion” if hired.

This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “New testaments”