Dean Walker
Researchers and professors are well practiced when it comes to talking
at length about their areas of interest. Like many of us, though,
academics often have a difficult time talking about money, specifically
salary. But a new partnership is looking to educate faculty and
administrative units about compensation practices to even the playing
field for all.
Funded by the NSF ADVANCE program, the project brings together leaders
from Drexel, Rochester Institute of Technology, Villanova, and
Gallaudet to explore the factors that influence pay scale differences
across the faculty spectrum.
“Historically, across all industries, women have consistently earned
less than their male counterparts, and that gap increases when you
consider women of color,” explains College of Engineering Dean Sharon
L. Walker, PhD, Senior Personnel on the project. “Higher education is
no exception. What this project hopes to do is educate folks on both
sides of pay decisions about the systemic factors that go into salary
offers so that they can be corrected.”
During the project, administrative units at the partner institutions —
from provosts to human resources and diversity officers — will
participate in workshops and coaching sessions and develop
institutional plans to pursue pay equity. Ultimately, the process is
designed not only to boost understanding of pay practices but also to
inspire progress at the highest levels.
The NSF ADVANCE program is designed to foster gender equity through a
focus on the identification and elimination of organizational barriers
that impede the full participation and advancement of diverse faculty
in academic institutions. Dean Walker is principal investigator on an
ADVANCE-funded project to
explore promotion practices
for mid-career faculty women.