Welcome to the UIC Biology department's page on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice DEIJ
The information and resources provided here are meant to inform on and enrich our individual and collective understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. All four components, as defined below, are perpetually connected and vital to our science, research, and academic achievement.
- Diversity - The variety of identities represented by students, faculty, and staff that include but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, socioeconomic status, national origin, language, religion, etc. Often, identities intersect.
- Equity - Actions oriented towards fairness and justice within UIC classrooms, laboratories, working spaces, and the general society. This includes identifying and eliminating barriers that prevent equity.
- Inclusion - Actions that ensure broad participation in all aspects of academic and community life. Creating environments in which all feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.
- Justice - Dismantling barriers to resources and opportunities so that all individuals and communities can live full and dignified lives. Issues of social justice and attacks on basic rights are ever present and can influence our science, studies, and self (our own security and safety).
This site is run by the BioS Diversity Committee and serves to hold information regarding the department’s work in identifying and addressing issues of accessibility, equity, inclusion, and justice
Our goal is to support all students, faculty, and staff - past, present, and future - by honoring the importance of and building a diverse community within the department and campus. For example, we have compiled education resources that can be used to create and maintain a welcoming environment, ultimately increasing student success.
Our goal is to support all students, faculty, and staff - past, present, and future - by honoring the importance of and building a diverse community within the department and campus. For example, we have compiled education resources that can be used to create and maintain a welcoming environment, ultimately increasing student success.
DEIJ Mission Statement
For our department to function best in our missions of teaching, research, and service, we must draw from a wide talent pool, assemble a team of faculty, staff and students with diverse perspectives and strengths, and foster a climate where individuals feel valued and motivated. Therefore, we are highly motivated to promote learning and academic environments that are diverse and inclusive. We define diversity as the multiple ways that we identify ourselves, including but not limited to race, socioeconomic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, language, cultural heritage, veteran status, or genetic makeup. We respect and actively pursue inclusion of differences. We are committed to the philosophy of equal opportunity and respectful treatment for all and believe that through the active recruitment of individuals from groups that have been historically excluded from the sciences we can diversify our team and become a stronger force for scientific discovery and education.
For our department to function best in our missions of teaching, research, and service, we must draw from a wide talent pool, assemble a team of faculty, staff and students with diverse perspectives and strengths, and foster a climate where individuals feel valued and motivated. Therefore, we are highly motivated to promote learning and academic environments that are diverse and inclusive. We define diversity as the multiple ways that we identify ourselves, including but not limited to race, socioeconomic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, language, cultural heritage, veteran status, or genetic makeup. We respect and actively pursue inclusion of differences. We are committed to the philosophy of equal opportunity and respectful treatment for all and believe that through the active recruitment of individuals from groups that have been historically excluded from the sciences we can diversify our team and become a stronger force for scientific discovery and education.
