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OUR MISSION

To ensure an inclusive and equitable research and educational environment for our extraordinary Life Sciences community

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UCLA Life Sciences

In Life Sciences, diversity, equity and inclusion are central to our mission of excellence. We are committed to creating and fostering an environment in which all of our researchers, students, staff, and faculty experience a sense of belonging and thrive.

Welcome! On this site, you can learn about Life Sciences’ demographics, our leadership, DEI initiatives, and programs that promote the inclusive success of our undergraduates.

You might also find helpful resources (training/support), and a nurturing community that can provide vital support to members of the Life Sciences community at UCLA.

Highlights of a decade of inclusive excellence:

  • 2022

     

    Work in Progress

    This year, UCLA Life Sciences’ Diversity Advisory Committee and Dean have been working together to advance DEI across the division. Read more >>

  • 2020

    Out of the Box

    Out of the Box was an educational initiative created in Life Sciences just prior to Fall Quarter 2020, to train and prepare science instructors to teach in virtual classrooms–using evidence-based, inclusive and anti-racist teaching practices.

     

    2020

  • 2020

     

    Life Sciences’ Anti-Racism Taskforce

    Life Sciences’ Anti-Racism Taskforce was assembled in summer 2020 to examine/revise policies and practices to improve DEI culture and climate.

  • 2016

    Center for Opportunity to Maximize Participation Access and Student Success (COMPASS)

    Life Sciences established COMPASS to connect under-represented minority/life-challenged students with mentors, alumni, study clubs, scholarships, jobs and research programs.
     

    2016

  • 2015

     

    Inclusive Excellence Institute

    The Annual Inclusive Excellence Institute was established to help faculty understand some of the challenges faced by diverse students that could affect their academic success, and to introduce actions that faculty could take to promote inclusion and reduce inequities in learning. 

  • 2014

    Recommendation to reduce emphasis of GRE for graduate admissions

    Life Sciences’ Diversity Advisory Committee made the evidence-based recommendation for our departments to place less emphasis on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) for graduate admissions to reduce inequities in admissions.

     

    2014

  • 2014

     

    UCLA Center for Education, Innovation and Learning in the Sciences (CEILS)

    UCLA CEILS was established to create a learning community for science instructors and to create a center for educational research and training that promotes inclusive, evidence-based teaching practices and a culture and climate conducive to diversity, equity, and inclusion in science education.

  • 2013

    Policy to document “Contributions to Diversity Equity and Inclusion”

    Life Sciences’ DAC urged the creation of a division-wide policy where “Contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” are required to be noted in promotion documents, highlighting the value of this work, and promoting a culture of equity and inclusion. (Now a UCLA-wide policy)

     

    2013

  • 2011

     

    Life Sciences’ Mentor Professor Initiative established

    Life Sciences’ Mentor Professor Initiative was defined and established to bring in outstanding scientists, who are committed to mentoring diverse students. This successful strategy has since been copied across campus, and across the UC system.

  • 2011

    Life Sciences’ Diversity Advisory Committee established

    Life Sciences’ Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) is a leadership team that was assembled to advise the dean on policies and practices that promote an environment and culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

     

    2011

  •  

    Life Sciences’ support for evidence-based undergraduate programs

    HHMI PATHWAYS established (2014); COMPASS established (2016); HHMI STEM Transfer Student Program established (2017)…

News & Updates

2022 Jenessa Shapiro Memorial Award Supports Graduate Student Research on Intraracial Conversations

Amander Clark and Pearl Quijada

‘You belong’: How first-gen students have succeeded in STEM

IBP mentor Correa with mentee Sandoval

Life Sciences synergy of mentor and graduate student advances sciences and equity

Tiffany Brannon with CCL members

UCLA research shows what a sense of belonging can offer to Latinx and African American college students

View Life Sciences’ DEI News Archive

 

The Division of Life Sciences acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As part of a California land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

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