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Andrew Ferguson named deputy dean of equity, diversity, and inclusion

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago (PME) has named Assoc. Prof. Andrew Ferguson its deputy dean of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

In this new role, Ferguson will help lead the development and implementation of EDI initiatives at Pritzker Molecular Engineering. He will serve a key role on and the PME Committee on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, facilitating faculty participation in EDI initiatives. The position, part of PME’s leadership team, reports to the dean.

“In line with PME’s commitment to improve and increase our EDI efforts, we have created the new deputy dean of EDI position, which designates a tenured faculty member as a point person for our EDI initiatives and collaborations,” said Matthew Tirrell, dean of PME. “Andy comes to this role with experience serving on the PME EDI committee, as well as participating in many EDI initiatives and events on campus. He will provide strong leadership for our efforts in this area.”

“Improving EDI is probably one of the most important non-scientific things we can do within PME,” Ferguson said. “Establishing a diverse group of researchers and an equitable, inclusive, and supportive environment is not only the ethical thing to do but will also make us all stronger and more effective in our science and engineering mission due to a diversity of expertise, backgrounds, and opinions.”

In addition to the PME EDI committee, Ferguson serves on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordination Team (EDICT) in UChicago's Physical Sciences Department (PSD) and participated in its “Out in the PSD & PME” event that highlighted voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies in STEM.

“EDI is an issue that affects us all and requires engagement and support from all parts of the community,” Ferguson said. “In order to achieve better representation within our institutions, everyone must be willing to come together to prioritize this crucial work.”

As the first faculty member to fill the position, Ferguson hopes to serve as a liaison, advocate, and leader of the school’s EDI efforts. “This work should influence how we approach faculty promotion and hiring, graduate student training, and community engagement,” he said. “I hope we come to see EDI as intrinsic to everything we do.”