Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity at Duke Law is more than a statement: It is part of our educational mission. Duke Law values diversity, in the broadest sense, as a valuable goal in itself and because the law is a field and profession that must serve and protect all members of society.
The educational experience of our students is demonstrably enriched by an exchange of ideas and experiences among students, faculty, staff, and alumni who contribute diverse perspectives among other factors and identities. The age, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, cultural backgrounds, educational experience, political perspectives, work experience, and physical ability or disability of each member of our community offer opportunities for us to deepen our understanding of our society and our roles as lawyers, leaders, and public servants.
Every member of our community brings essential talents and unique perspectives that contribute to our culture and to our collective and individual experiences, and every member of our community deserves an environment where they can thrive.
Alison Ashe-Card, associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion, has responsibility for supporting an inclusive climate throughout the Law School, including serving as a resource to students in navigating inclusion and equity challenges.
Her work engages students from their introduction during LEAD Week through their entire Law School journey. Programs like these below help to create a community that appreciates and values differing perspectives, an essential skill for a lawyer.
This LEAD Week session explores effective strategies for creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all participants feel valued and respected. Students discuss practical approaches to fostering a sense of belonging, encouraging meaningful interactions, and addressing challenges that may hinder engagement.
Through guided dialogue and real-world scenarios, students engage in meaningful conversations, share perspectives, and explore actionable strategies to fostering meaning change. This professional development session provides a platform to examine the challenges and opportunities in building a more inclusive legal profession.
Students engage in an immersive, innovative courtroom exercise to learn how to maintain professionalism during heated discussions with differing perspectives. This session is based on the Civic Discourse and Difficult Conversations program, a national federal courts initiative created by U.S. District Court Judge Robin L. Rosenberg JD ’89 with U.S. District Court Judge Beth Bloom.