University of Pittsburgh
May 30, 2013

First National Gathering of Directors of Academic Centers on Race, Ethnicity, and Poverty to Take Place at Pitt June 6-7

The Race, Ethnicity, and Poverty Summit is expected to generate collaborations and continuing dialogue between institutions nationwide
Contact: 

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh’s Center on Race and Social Problems will host the June 6-7 Race, Ethnicity, and Poverty Summit, a first-of-its-kind gathering of approximately 30 directors of academic centers on race, ethnicity, and poverty from throughout the United States, in an attempt to generate continuing dialogue and future collaborations between the institutions.

The directors will begin networking informally at a private dinner the evening of June 6. The summit’s formal daylong program will take place June 7 in the 20th-Floor Conference Center of Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Ave., Oakland. The summit is not open to the general public.

Organizers say the summit presents a worthwhile opportunity to bring together individuals who are addressing many of America’s most critical and long-standing problems. The directors represent centers based in urban areas stretching from coast to coast, most of them affiliated with colleges and universities.

“We view this meeting as a chance to learn from one another,” said Larry E. Davis, dean of the School of Social Work, Donald M. Henderson Professor, and director of the Center on Race and Social Problems at Pitt. “We’ll be looking at such things as how to procure funding, how to implement the best organizational structure, and how to enhance our publications, to name just a few of our objectives.”

Davis says he has been asked frequently over the years whether there was an umbrella organization representing race-focused scholars and center directors. Knowing of none, he planned the June summit.

After breakfast, Pitt Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Patricia E. Beeson will welcome the group, followed by Davis, who will deliver remarks providing an overview of the goals of the summit and the day’s agenda.

Later in the morning, attendees will hear three presenters:

 

10:30 a.m

Demographics of the Nation’s Racial, Ethnic, and Poverty Populations

Scott Beach, associate director, Pitt’s University Center for Social and Urban Research

11 a.m.

Future Directions for Funded Research
 
Cleopatra Caldwell, director    
Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture, and Health
University of Michigan

Thomas LaVeist, director
Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions
Johns Hopkins University

 

After lunch, the directors will discuss a number of issues relating to their centers—funding, using fellows and postdoctoral students, fostering collaboration among the centers, and planning effectively. 

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5/30/13/mab