DASLP’s Dr. Jordan Harper Co-Authors New Study on Leading Equity Work in Restrictive Political Climates

The Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership and Policy (DASLP) at Morgan State University is proud to highlight a new scholarly contribution from Assistant Professor Dr. Jordan Harper, who is the lead author of a recently published article exploring how higher education leaders are advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work in restrictive political and legal environments (RPLEs).

Co-authored with the Shared Equity Leadership (SEL) research team at the Pullias Center for Higher Education at the University of Southern California, the article responds to the increasing wave of anti-DEI legislation across the U.S. and efforts to suppress equity work in public institutions.

The research draws on interviews with leaders at colleges and universities located in states with restrictive DEI policies. It finds that while implementing structural equity practices has become more difficult, many leaders continue to ground their work in values such as love, care, creativity, and innovation. The study extends the SEL framework by identifying an additional consideration for navigating RPLEs: the strategic importance of building networks and partnerships that allow leaders to respond collaboratively and in real time to shifting political pressures.

The article, “Shared Equity Leadership in Politically Restrictive Environments,” is published open access in the Journal of Higher Education.
Read the article

To support practitioners, the team also developed a practice brief for institutional leaders:
Download the Practice Brief

An open webinar for practitioners, researchers, and campus leaders will be held on January 28, 2026.
Register here

This publication reflects Dr. Harper’s ongoing commitment to advancing equity and justice in higher education leadership, core values that guide the Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership, and Policy at Morgan State University. As national conversations around DEI continue to evolve, this research offers timely strategies and practical tools for educational leaders navigating complex and politically charged environments.