Prof. Jennifer M. Gómez Featured in Special Issue of The ADVANCE Journal focused on Institutional Transformation in Academia
“When Enough Became Too Much: Institutional Betrayal, Resignation, & Institutional Courage for Change,” an essay authored by Prof. Jennifer M. Gómez from BU School of Social Work (BUSSW), is featured in a special issue of The ADVANCE Journal. The essay details the interpersonal and systemic discrimination she experienced at her former institution, while offering institutionally courageous strategies for change.
The journal’s special issue uses Smith and Freyd’s concept of institutional betrayal and Freyd’s concept of institutional courage to center the perspectives of BIPOC, LGBTQ+ people, women, and other marginalized groups. Through narrative, empirical research, and the arts, the contributing authors highlight both academia trauma and resistance.
Gómez’s narrative explores how institutional betrayals impact the experience of faculty and students in universities. She proposes that one way to combat these betrayals is through displaying institutional courage, such as acts of solidarity with others facing discrimination. In addition to listing betrayals from systematic bigotry to disrespecting students, her concrete solutions to these problems aim to inspire others in academia to take definitive steps toward institutional change.
The essay includes two resignation letters addressed to former institution leaders and colleagues detailing her experiences and what the institution could do to improve. These letters provide insight into how low retention of faculty members from marginalized backgrounds indicates significant leadership and climate issues. They also illustrate how she used the letters to own the narrative around her resignation, rather than let others make their own assumptions. Prof. Gómez outlines how institutional leaders can address problems in the system, and implement cultural change that can lead to a more inclusive learning environment.
Current BUSSW colleagues contributed to the special issue of The Advance Journal as well; Prof. Jorge Delva (former dean of BUSSW) served as one of the guest editors and Prof. Dawn Belkin Martinez as one of the peer reviewers of the special issue. Also featured in the issue is a systematic review by independent researchers of Gómez’s cultural betrayal trauma theory.