Greetings, CSREA Friends and Supporters!  

I am honored to have been chosen as the new director of the Center, following in the footsteps of Professor Tricia Rose whose remarkable leadership over the past decade has been truly inspiring. She’s set a high bar, and I am eager to continue her legacy of excellence.

For those who may not know me, let me introduce myself briefly. I am a proud Brown alumna (ScB, Class of 1991), and returning to my alma mater as a professor in 2021 was a profound full-circle moment for me. I currently hold the inaugural Sarah and Joseph Jr. Dowling professorship in Brown’s Department of Sociology. Prior to this, I served as the Dean of the Graduate School of Education at UC Berkeley and also have served on the faculties of Stanford and Harvard. I have extensive experience leading a center dedicated to exploring race, ethnicity, and their intersections with other social forces and identities. At Stanford, I directed the Research Institute for the Comparative Study of Race and Ethnicity. My research focuses on how racial and ethnic boundaries shape educational and economic inequalities both in the United States and globally. You can learn more about my research and background here. 

As we embark on this new chapter together, I am excited to collaborate with the dedicated professional team at CSREA, the broader Brown community, and all of you. Our purpose remains clear: to sustain the vibrancy of our signature programs while also introducing additional innovative, multidisciplinary research and creative endeavors. The work we do is as critical as ever.  As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, it is vital to acknowledge that racial distinctions and disparities are deeply woven into the fabric of our nation. Despite some  progress, the systemic harms of enduring racist practices and beliefs  result still in disparate outcomes for historically marginalized communities. Current polarizing political events also underscore the persistent need for centers like CSREA. Our mission is far from complete. Society demands new knowledge, innovative problem-solving, and the elimination of racial and ethnic injustices.  

Looking ahead, CSREA is gearing up for a vibrant academic year filled with contributions from visiting artists and scholars and Brown faculty and students. This upcoming academic year, we will tackle some pressing social, cultural, and political issues. In this pivotal presidential election year, debates around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in education and the workplace, artificial intelligence, and racial disparities in health, economics, and education will provide rich ground for critical thought and dialogue, research, and creativity.

I look forward to working together to further advance our understanding of both the challenges and assets of race and ethnicity as fundamental social organizing factors in nearly every facet of life and to continuing our commitment to justice and joy.

Yours in partnership,

Prudence