Photo by Kaizen Nguyễn on Unsplash
Over two sessions, over 35 DU faculty members came together to snack on two readings from KerryAnn O’Meara and discuss research-informed questions of workload equity over (virtual) coffee. Co-hosted by Hava Gordon and Keith Ward, respectively, the March 31st and April 2nd “Think and Drink” sessions focused on questions of how workload, especially service burdens, are assigned to or taken up by faculty. While the advice to “just say no” to university service is common, participants explored the complexity of this advice in practice, which may be hard to take for faculty who embody certain identities or are committed to particular communities. Service, and the people who perform it, is the “glue” that holds together a university community, but that transparency and reward aren’t always present. Focusing on the possibilities for department led-change, the conversations were lively and provocative, suggesting an appetite for additional conversations and potential for changes in policy or practice. We hope to see you at future “Think and Drink” events, and hope they serve as a tasty appetizer before the main course of the Provost’s luncheons this Spring.
April 7, 2021 | 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Think and Drink Event 3: What Are Concrete Strategies for Addressing Workload Inequity?
Join the Zoom Room (No Registration Required)
April 9, 2021 | 9:00am – 10:00am
Think and Drink Event 4: What Could Addressing Workload Look Like at DU?
Join the Zoom Room (No Registration Required)