Dear Colleagues,
We are thrilled to share that Ange-Marie Hancock has accepted our offer to serve as executive director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity. Her appointment will begin January 1, 2023.
An internationally recognized scholar, Ange-Marie joins us from the University of Southern California (USC), where she is a Dean’s Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations and the Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies. She has served as department chair of political science and international relations since 2020, and she directs the USC Institute for Intersectionality and Social Transformation and the university’s Center for leadership by Women of Color.
She has written numerous articles and books, which explore how the intersection of race, gender, class, sexuality, citizenship, and other categories of difference have an impact on policy. Her books include The Politics of Disgust and the Public Identity of the “Welfare Queen,” Solidarity Politics for Millennials: A Guide to Ending the Oppression Olympics, and Intersectionality: An Intellectual History. Among her many accomplishments, Ange-Marie conducted the original survey research and designed the business model for what would become the Women’s National Basketball Association.
Established in 2003, the Kirwan Institute is an interdisciplinary research institute named for former Ohio State President William E. “Brit” Kirwan in recognition of his efforts to champion diversity at Ohio State. The Kirwan Institute researchers, affiliated faculty, collaborators, and community partners conduct research to inform policies and practices that help create a just and inclusive society where all people and communities have an opportunity to succeed. In addition to directing the Kirwan Institute, Ange-Marie will join the faculty of the Department of Political Science and hold an ENGIE-Axium Professorship.
Until Ange-Marie’s arrival, Jason Reece, associate professor of city and regional planning, will serve as interim director of the Kirwan Institute. Jason is a faculty affiliate and a former staff member of the Institute, where he is currently involved in several research projects . He follows Beverly Vandiver, professor in the Department of Human Sciences and director of the Quantitative Methodology Center, who provided leadership as interim executive director since autumn 2020. Under Beverly’s leadership, Kirwan has developed several new research areas, attracted national foundation funding, and recruited postdoctoral scholars to the university.
Please join us in thanking Beverly, Jason, and all Kirwan Institute staff and affiliates for providing continuity during the leadership transition.
Sincerely,
Wendy G. Smooth
Incoming Senior Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence
Melissa L. Gilliam
Executive Vice President and Provost