Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning
Dr. Goodspeed is an associate professor of Urban and Regional Planning in the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. He is a champion for D-E-I and he integrates these concepts into his teaching, research, and service. Robert does an excellent job of incorporating readings on critical race theory and racial data biases into the courses he teaches. He confidently and skillfully welcomes class discussions on these themes. He has worked on ways for the State of Michigan to retain the low eviction rates obtained during the pandemic. He also directed a community-engaged and collaborative research project in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. The project examines the role of policy, politics, the physical environment, and community organizing in responding to chronic residential segregation
Being your best DEI self: Think of a time when you were at your best at advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. What happened? Who was there? Why did you feel at your best?
When I think of my best DEI self, I think of times when I am working with a multiracial team to collaborate on work to build a more just society.
In envisioning the future, how would you describe progress in the realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion? What might it look like?
I envision a world where communities are working to define and achieve transformative change, to produce places and communities of abundance, opportunity, and love.
What does it mean to you to be a recipient of the MLK Spirit Awards?
It’s an honor just to be nominated since I feel I am only just beginning so much work in this area.
