Taft Professor of Social Justice 

The Taft Professorship of Social Justice provides recognition and support of faculty that have successfully participated in socially- and/or community-engaged social science inquiry; who have demonstrated experience in public-facing, social justice scholarship; and who are prepared to speak in accessible ways to a variety of audiences, both within and outside academia.

The professorship is awarded based on past engagement and scholarly success, and the promise of future scholarly and/or creative distinction. Faculty with a reputation for outstanding scholarly and creative social justice-oriented work, particularly those drawing on recent and ongoing projects that can be expected to continue during their tenure, will be most competitive. Taft faculty at all levels are encouraged to apply, including advanced assistant professors, associate professors, and full professors. 

This professorship is awarded for a term of three years, during which time the selected faculty members will be expected to serve on the Taft Director’s Planning Committee and participate in some Taft activities (to be agreed upon with the Taft Director and depending upon the individual’s areas of expertise). The Taft Professor of Social Justice will receive an annual $4,000 personal research fund that they can use for their research, creative projects, and professional development. In addition, their home department will receive $4,000 per year for one course release. 

Applications are now open for the 2025–2028 Taft Professor of Social Justice. 

The inaugural Taft Professor of Social Justice was Dr. Tia Sherèe Gaynor, founding director of the Center for Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation. Dr. Stephanie Sadre-Orafai was named Taft Professor of Social Justice in 2023.