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We create opportunities for students at multiple stages of their educational journeys to engage with rigorous, interdisciplinary research and develop the knowledge, skills and perspectives needed to advance equity-focused scholarship.
Training the next generation of scholars is central to the Cook Center’s mission, reflecting Dr. Cook’s enduring legacy as a dedicated educator and mentor to generations of students.
From undergraduate research and learning opportunities to graduate training and mentorship, the Cook Center connects students with faculty, research teams and a vibrant intellectual community.
Through our partnership with the National Education Opportunity Network (NEON), we extend these opportunities to high school students in NEON-partner school districts by providing access to select Duke courses providing early exposure to university-level learning.
Together, these programs cultivate pathways into research and higher education while preparing emerging scholars to contribute new ideas and approaches to the study of inequality.
"Education is power in many forms."
— Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook
Become a Cook Research Fellow
Research Experience, Mentoring and Training
Research Fellowships
A cornerstone of the Cook Center’s mission is cultivating a pipeline of scholars and practitioners who understand the complex forces undergirding social systems through a set of multi-level fellowships for postdoctoral associates, graduate students, post-baccalaureates, and undergraduate researchers.
Learn with the Cook Center
Cook Center faculty teach courses across a range of disciplines, including sociology, public policy, psychology, neuroscience and political science. Explore our faculty to discover classroom opportunities to engage with topics related to inequality, equity and social change.
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Duke’s partnership with the National Education Opportunity Network (NEON) is a dynamic model that brings no‑cost, credit‑bearing Duke courses to Title I high school students nationwide. Launched at Duke in 2026 and rapidly growing, the program enrolls more than 200 high school students in each course, offering subjects ranging from sociology and biology to psychology and beyond.
Teach and Mentor
Be a Teaching Fellow for Duke + NEON High School Courses
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Cook + NEON Teaching Fellowships
Teaching Fellows and Lead Teaching Fellows support Duke + NEON courses by delivering engaging virtual instruction, guiding students through college‑level coursework and building a supportive learning community. Serving as a Cook + NEON teaching fellow provides Duke students the chance to develop their teaching skills, gain mentorship experience and contribute to expanding university access and building students’ academic confidence.
Attend Cook Center Colloquia & Other Events
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Connect with the Cook Center community through monthly colloquia that bring together faculty, staff and students to learn about current research, exchange ideas and build community over lunch.
Throughout the year, the Center also hosts speakers and special events that engage University and community members in dialogue, foster new connections and advance our shared commitment to understanding and addressing inequality.
From the Cook Center Director
Dr. Tyson Brown shares his personal experience and philosophy on the power of mentoring as a catalyst for social, educational and economic mobility.