The Department of English values an environment where people of many cultures and identities can express their ideas freely. We recognize that varied backgrounds, perspectives, and traditions enrich our community and deepen the study of literature in all its forms. We are committed to fostering a space where everyone—students, faculty, and staff—feels respected, welcomed, and able to pursue their work without harassment or discrimination. We continually reflect on how we can support the flourishing of all our members, including those whose voices and experiences have been historically marginalized within academic spaces such as Yale.
Our courses explore literary expression across diverse anglophone cultures and histories, often engaging with questions of identity, resistance, belonging, and social transformation.
Many of our faculty contribute to programs that support students from a wide range of backgrounds, including the First-Year Scholars at Yale program, which helps ease the transition to university life for incoming first-generation and low-income students. Members of our department regularly collaborate with initiatives across New Haven, including the Yale Prison Education Initiative and the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, as well as other community partnerships.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee in the English Department includes members from all sectors of the department who work together to:
- Broaden the range of cultural and intellectual traditions represented in the curriculum.
- Support a departmental community that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the wider community.
- Acknowledge and engage with structural inequities that have shaped higher education, including at Yale.
- Encourage ongoing learning about equity, inclusion, and cultural understanding.
- Assist any community member seeking guidance on concerns related to discrimination.
- Reflect on the department’s progress and identify areas for continued growth.
You can reach the DEI Committee at dei.english@yale.edu