Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at IAS

At the Institute for Advanced Study’s creation in 1930, the founders wrote: “fundamental in our purpose, and our express desire, [is] that in the appointments to the Staff and Faculty as well as in the admission of workers and students, no account shall be taken, directly or indirectly, of race, religion, or sex.”  We recognize these ideals require continual examination of our culture. Today, we strive to create a community in which all people feel welcomed, respected, and valued.  We seek to address the harmful effects of inequity and discrimination on individual Scholars, Faculty, Staff, and scholarship as a whole.  We affirm equality and embrace our differences as we work to transform principles into action and grow new forms of scholarly community.

The Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity ("EEO") laws. The Institute prohibits discrimination against Faculty, Staff, Members, Visitors and applicants for employment because of the individual's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, other non-merit based factors or any other characteristic protected by law.  This policy applies to all Institute activities, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, Member selection, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, performance evaluation, discipline and discharge.  As detailed below, this policy also bans discriminatory harassment. The Institute will provide reasonable accommodation consistent with the law to otherwise qualified Faculty, Staff and applicants with a disability and to Faculty, Staff and applicants with needs related to their religious observance or practices.  What constitutes a reasonable accommodation depends on the circumstances and thus will be addressed by the Institute on a case-by-case basis.

Discriminatory Harassment

As part of its EEO Policy, the Institute prohibits conduct that constitutes or could lead or contribute to harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, other non-merit based factors or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Examples of such conduct include, but are not limited to: ethnic slurs; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts directed at a particular gender or religious group or directed at an individual because of his or her sexual orientation, color, or ethnicity; and/or use of computers (including via the Internet) or e-mail systems to view or distribute racially offensive communications.

Quid Pro Quo Harassment

Additional rules apply to individuals with supervisory authority at the Institute.  No one with a supervisory role may at any time:  (1) threaten or imply that an individual’s submission to or rejection of a sexual advance, or harassment or discrimination based on any other protected category, will in any way influence any decision regarding that individual’s employment, performance evaluation, advancement, compensation, assignments, discipline, discharge, or any other term or condition of employment; or (2) make any employment decision concerning an individual on any discriminatory basis.  Harassment does not require intent to offend.  Thus, inappropriate conduct or language meant as a joke, a prank, or even a compliment can lead or contribute to harassment.

As expressly prescribed in 1930 in its founding statements, the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) admits scholars with all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to all scholars at IAS without consideration of any race, color, gender, and national and ethnic origin.  Accordingly, today IAS reiterates that in the appointment of faculty and staff and administration of its educational and acceptance policies as well as in all other IAS administered programs, no person shall be discriminated against on account of race, religion, color, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or national and ethnic origin.

Notes from meetings of the Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion