Service statements: a constructive alternative to DEI statements

Dr. Peter Newton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. In 2023, together with Dr. Matt Burgess, he designed and proposed a policy to require service statements as a constructive alternative to DEI or diversity statements in the academic faculty hiring process. He wrote about the process of getting this policy change adopted at the departmental level here: https://heterodoxacademy.org/blog/how-an-academic-department-replaced-diversity-statements-with-service-statements/ and the initiative was reported on here: https://www.thecollegefix.com/service-statements-emerge-as-possible-constructive-alternative-to-dei-statements/. He is available to talk with groups who are interested in learning about this experience in changing policy on campus, and/or who might be interested in trying to get a similar policy change adopted on their own campus. Dr. Newton is also a co-chair of the CU Boulder HxA Campus Community.

Additionally, much of Dr. Newton's research and teaching relates to sustainable food systems and the environment. He gave a TEDx talk that challenges widely-held beliefs about the climate benefits of alternative food choices: https://www.ted.com/talks/peter_newton_failing_to_go_the_distance_what_s_the_beef_with_food_miles?subtitle=en. Dr. Newton is available to participate in debates, dialogues, or conversations that model the HxA Way and that bring evidence and data to discussions about food systems and the environment.

Engagement as an HxA Member:
Presented at HxA Virtual Event, Summit, or Conference
Published on HxA: The Blog
Guest on HxA Podcast
HxA Writers Group Member or Veteran
Active Member of an HxCommunity
Active Member of an HxA Campus Community
Faculty Fellow at HxA Center for Academic Pluralism
Speaker's Title and Institutional/Organizational Affiliation: Associate Professor, University of Colorado Boulder
Event Type :
Lecture/Presentation
Fireside Chat
Book Talk
Constitution Day Event
Classroom Visit
Workshop
Podcast
Debate, Forum, or HxConversation
Speaking Topics - List up to 5 specific topics or titles, each separated by a semicolon: DEI/diversity statements; service statements; changing campus policy; HxA campus communities; food systems and the environment
Blackout Dates (Dates speaker is unavailable, Days/Month/Year): Aug 30 - Sept 8, 2024
Distance Willing to Travel: Any/No Limits to Travel Radius
Scholarly Area: Social Sciences
Modality of Event : In Person and/or Virtual
Willingness to be recorded: Willing
Speaking Fee (Not including travel/lodging expenses): $0-$2,000 USD
Recent Appearance (1 of 5) -title, host institution, year: How faculty can advocate for policy change from within the university, HxA Annual Conference, 2024
Recent Appearance (2 of 5) -title, host institution, year: How an academic department replaced diversity statements with service statements, HxA blog, 2024
Recent Appearance (3 of 5) -title, host institution, year: Service statements emerge as possible constructive alternative to DEI statements, The College Fix, 2024
Recent Appearance (4 of 5) -title, host institution, year: What's the beef with food miles? TEDx Boulder, 2017.
Link to Speaker's Professional Website (to include sample writings and more extensive bio): https://www.colorado.edu/envs/peter-newton