Social Equity and Inclusion

Blue RISD flag against yellow autumn leaves

At RISD, our commitment to social equity and inclusion is embedded in our mission, structure, policies and strategic plan. In identifying institutional strengths and challenges, we help enhance a sense of belonging on campus—for all community members. Learn more below about our SEI vision and how we live it in practice.

Since launching our first Social Equity and Inclusion (SEI) Action Plan in 2017, RISD has built upon a series of core values inspired by student activity and input across our community. Among others, these include:

  • embedding social equity and inclusion in all institutional structures and processes.
  • fostering a campus culture that welcomes difference, promotes student agency and enables collective community building.
  • increasing diversity among students, faculty and staff.
  • making RISD more accessible across a diverse range of social groups.
  • ensuring equal access for all students to the supports they need for academic success.

Ensuring RISD’s commitment to social equity and inclusion, in principle and practice, is a cross-collaborative, community-wide effort. We realize this commitment through contributions by institutional leadership, faculty across all disciplines, and a network administrative offices that put key initiatives into action, as well as uphold our values in how we engage our community and the world. And critical to our collective work toward a truly equitable, inclusive RISD is the input, activity and creative contributions of our students and alumni, and their work toward a more just institution and world.

Active and recent initiatives

the Rhode Island School of Design seal to the left of a large question mark
Community and Culture Assessment

Using data gathered via focus groups and a comprehensive survey, this initiative provides a roadmap to ensure a thriving community in all areas of academics, work and campus life. The assessment leverages the strengths of our campus partners to identify how we can work collectively to make RISD more equitable and inclusive for all.

MLK Series kids playing with paint and canvas
MLK Series

Our annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Series celebrates the life and enduring contributions of Dr. King in creating a more just and democratic society. It also aims to highlight the role of art, design and creative endeavor in advancing justice and democracy.

banner that reads "Honoring seven exceptional womxn from the R I S D community”
Womxn @ Work

Drawing inspiration from RISD’s pioneering history, Womxn @ Work honors and amplifies the voices of womxn within our campus community—fostering discussion around their experiences as working professionals, creatives and innovators.

Graffiti intervention by Bolivian anarcha-feminist collective Mujeres Creando
Decolonial Teaching in Action

Led by RISD’s Teaching and Learning Lab, this annual professional development series provides faculty, librarians and museum curators with tools and guidance for creating classes and curricula shaped by decolonial, anti-racist principles. Centered on critical reading, course design workshops and ongoing dialogue, these seminars ensure that a RISD education advances our commitments to social justice and inclusivity.

Advancing equity and inclusion throughout RISD

Mission and engagement
Student Life
Equity and Wellbeing

Read our first SEI Action Plan

Launched in 2017, RISD’s first SEI action plan provides the foundation upon which we ground our efforts to enhance equity and inclusion throughout our community. Our SEI plan is further bolstered by a series of commitments announced in 2020, to proactively embed anti-racist principles and practices in all areas of the institution. 

Download RISD’s 2017 SEI Action Plan

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inside the Gelman Gallery with view of off-white cotton dress
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SEI-related resources

Student resources
Faculty/staff resources
Related facts, figures and history