Arizona State University: ASU Graduate College's Spotlight Grant Winners Advance Equity, Diversity, Inclusion

Press release from Arizona State University:

Tracy Viselli

August 31, 2021

In an overwhelming response to a call for stories and perspectives related to justice, diversity, equity and inclusion, more than 100 Arizona State University graduate students and postdocs submitted applications for the second round of the Knowledge Mobilization Spotlight Grants. 

Out of the impressively competitive pool, the Graduate College selected 10 winners rather than five as originally planned. Each winner will receive a grant of $100.

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The Spotlight Grants are an effort by the Knowledge Mobilization Initiative in the Graduate College to highlight graduate student and postdoctoral research at ASU — particularly how our student and early career scholars are applying and disseminating their work for broad audiences and social impact.  

“After last year’s positive response to our call for students and scholars to share how they changed their research in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we hoped to inspire applicants to place their research in the context of the national conversation about justice, diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Heather Fauland, manager for professional development,. 

At a time when skepticism about the relevance of research is growing, knowledge mobilization teaches students and scholars to focus on impact and move their research from the page and into action, enriching current practice, policy and social discourse in the process.

“It is critical that ASU’s scholars know how to make their work impactful, usable and accessible beyond traditional academic disciplines and audiences,” said Tamara Underiner, associate dean of the Graduate College. “Students can also advance our larger design aspirations as a university.”

“Our graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are doing impactful, relevant research and we are here, to not only support them but to inspire them as well,” said Elizabeth Wentz, vice provost and graduate college dean. “Using knowledge mobilization as a framework for research is one way we’re helping our scholars and ASU catalyze social change.” 

The 10 awardees are:

This press release was produced by Arizona State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.