Interfolio: Faculty Search is an online faculty search software, to assist in improving our faculty diversity recruitment efforts. Adopted in 2014, all faculty searches must use Interfolio.
This software receives faculty job applications and allows the Dean to monitor the aggregate diversity of the pool for each active search. The Dean uses this information to determine if the diversity of the applicant pool for a faculty search is consistent with the diversity of Ph.D. holders in a specific field as defined by the National Science Foundation’s Annual Survey of Earned Doctorates. When the diversity of the candidate pool is not consistent with the report, hiring committees often are not permitted to begin reviewing applications and must continue their efforts to assemble a diverse pool of applicants for the position. Each Dean monitors the diversity of the candidate pool for every position within his or her College during the course of the search. The Dean’s authorization to bring finalists for campus interviews is contingent upon the robustness of the diversity of candidates in the pool in comparison to doctorates produced in the disciplines for which the search is conducted.
In addition to monitoring the diversity of job applicant pools for faculty positions, Interfolio’s online review and evaluation features increase transparency in the search committee’s review of candidates. Before evaluating any of the job applications, hiring committees must develop the criteria/questions they will use to vet candidates. The use of clear and consistent guidelines helps ensure that all applicants are reviewed using the same criteria that help diminish implicit bias and other forms of discrimination
Resources/Questions:
- Please direct all questions related to the use of Interfolio to your Dean’s Office
- Please reference Interfolio’s online reference tools for Faculty Search
- If needed, please contact Interfolio’s Tech Support (877) 997-8807, 9am–6pm Eastern Time M–F
- STRIDE, a peer education resource, is available to assist search committee’s in developing evaluation criteria. Please contact Autumn Reed, autumn2@umbc.edu to schedule a STRIDE consultation.