By KRIS KANTHAK

The deadline to submit names to serve as a faculty representative on the search committee for the next provost of the University is Sept. 11, so now is the time to look around you, pick a highly qualified faculty member or two, and ask them to submit their names for consideration.

Political science research is clear: When people are asked to stand for election for a particular position, often the most highly qualified people are less likely to put their names in the hat. This phenomenon means that these qualified people are never even considered for the job. They may not think they are qualified, or they may believe others will not think they are qualified, so it may not even occur to them to put their names forward.

This is particularly true for members of historically marginalized groups. Often, when we are asked to picture someone running for election, we picture white cisgender men. And it is obvious why — most of the examples of people we see running for office are white cisgender men. But this compounds the problem, as people who do not fit into that category are less likely to be seen as — and to see themselves as — the kind of people who run. So we remain left with fewer examples of leadership from people who do not fit the “typical” category, which ensures that the phenomenon will persist.

But there is a way to combat this problem: Look around you and ASK highly qualified people to put their names up for nomination. Look especially for people who do not fit the category of “the usual suspects,” but whose efforts would be exemplary and whose unique insights would be enormously valuable.

If each of us asks just one or two people, we will have an abundance of highly qualified — and diverse — candidates for the extremely important job of helping to pick our next provost. As the senior academic officer at the university, Pitt’s next provost will play a vital role in determining our future course. We need all hands on deck. We need all perspectives considered.

Self-nominations are easy: Candidates need only send a brief statement of interest (150 words or less) to Senate Director Lori Molinaro at lam06@pitt.edu. Offering to help your preferred candidate or candidates to craft that statement is certainly on the table.

University guidelines indicate that the search committee must include two faculty members from Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, two from the professional schools of the provost’s area, one from the health sciences, and one from the regional campuses. See the recent Read Green from Senate President Robin Kear for more details.

Kris Kanthak is vice president of Senate Council and associate professor of political science.