Professor originally from Rochdale receives faculty excellence award in social justice

Dr John Kirk, originally of Rochdale, is an internationally recognised scholar of the civil rights movement

A professor of history, originally from Rochdale, has been awarded the Faculty Excellence Award in Social Justice at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock).

Dr John Kirk is an internationally recognised scholar of the civil rights movement, and he has worked continually over the years to help the public and students understand the struggle for social justice.

He moved to the United States to further his research, and has taught several courses related to racial justice including the classes 'Introduction to Race and Ethnicity' and 'Civil Rights Movement since 1954'.

He also played a key role in establishing the minor in race and ethnicity at UA Little Rock.

Students have praised his courses as "transformative", and he has aided students with their own publications on social justice.

Outside the classroom, Dr Kirk is a noted civil rights scholar and advocate for social justice. His scholarship is extensive and includes 'The Civil Rights Movement: A Documentary Reader,' a consultancy for a Netflix series on schools and race, a CNN podcast on the 1959 fire at the Arkansas Negro Boys Industrial School, and an AETN documentary on Little Rock’s West 9th Street.

Kirk has produced more than 400 “Arkansas Moments” radio segments, published his work in newspapers and magazines, conducted numerous media interviews, generated racial attitudes reports, and organised several community conferences.

On top of this extensive work, he developed the award-winning Arkansas Civil Rights Heritage Trail, which was adopted as part of the national US Civil Rights Trail in 2018.

UA Little Rock annually celebrates the achievements of the top professors of the year who are making a difference in the community through their contributions in teaching, research and creative works, public service, and social justice.

Created in 1989, this is the highest honor UA Little Rock awards its faculty members. Each winning faculty winner will receive a $5,000 prize.

Provost Ann Bain said: “Our winners’ dedication to scholarship, teaching, research, public service, and social justice has made a profound impact on our institution and the broader academic community.

“They have demonstrated a commitment to excellence that inspires us all and sets a high standard for future generations of educators.

“On behalf of the university, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of the award recipients and thank you for embodying the spirit of excellence that defines our institution.”