The Young Scholars Summer Research Institute is a three-week program that provides high school students enrolled in Durham Public Schools (DPS) with training to enhance their writing, research, and presentation skills.

The program is sponsored by the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University in partnership with Durham Public Schools (DPS). In keeping with the Samuel DuBois Cook Center’s central mission as a community of scholars engaged in the study of the causes and consequences of inequality, program participants explore curriculum related to the economic, social, and political dimensions of inequality.

During the Young Scholars Summer Research Institute, 23 DPS students received instruction from distinguished DPS teachers, university professors, and leaders from community organizations. The program’s main focus is on the development of the students’ research, writing, presentation, and critical-inquiry skills, culminating in a capstone presentation of students’ individual or group research projects.

The district's teachers were a key component of the experience, according to Dr. Iwinosa Idahor, Engagement and Opportunity Coordinator in the office of Equity Affairs and Professional Development.

"They (DPS distinguished teachers) provided an amazing level of support to students this summer as they explored their areas of interest and grew more confident as emerging scholars," said Idahor, whose responsibilities include student engagement as well.

Keaundra Robinson, the department's Equity Leadership and Strategy Coordinator, was helpful with this year’s return to in-person programming. 

Dr. Daniel Kelvin Bullock, Executive Director of Equity Affairs and Professional Development, and Dr. Iwinosa Idahor, Engagement and Opportunity Coordinator in the office of Equity Affairs, serve as faculty/administrators for the Institute.