I'm sympathetic to diversity statements. I get why some people want them, or some departments want them from applicants. From my experience applying to PhD programs, though, writing and insisting on them is...unacademic and often downright misguided. When you write them you're confronted with essentially justifying your existence as it fits into the often nonsensical groupings of DEI initiatives. Your research is not appraised independent of your identity; instead, the obvious implication is that you will be appraised through your identity. The very of idea of well done scholarship (careful argumentation, corralling and presentation of evidence, citing sources and addressing counter-arguments) is insulted. Certain applicants are made to self-flagellate for their identity while others are incentivized to present their identity as an advantage.
I am familiar with diversity statements by institutions, but what would a diversity statement from an applicant consist of, what would be expected? for example, declared alignment with the institution? or statements about one's own "diversity"? just trying to get a grasp.
I find this distressing. The “Track Record in Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging” and “Plans for Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging” seem like they’re trying to hire specifically for a DEI role. Is a math professor supposed to be hired based on their math research or based on the DEI workshops they’ve led?
Probably relevant as an example of the thinking, but it's worth noting that this is for evaluating applications to faculty positions, and not applicants trying to enter a PhD program.
What is expected is that the applicant will tell them what they want to hear.
Top marks: convince them that you’re a true believer.
Passing marks: convince them that, while you have yet to reach gnosis, you’re eager to learn from them, make a show of it, and encourage others to do the same.
You might be asked to write about it, yes, though I don't recall one that insisted on it at the moment.
For example, the University of Nevada, Reno's Physics PhD application gives the following as one of the writing prompts to consider to address admissions criteria:
"Describe experiences and activities that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion."
