Letters & Science

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the Biological Sciences Division

The Division of Biological Sciences at UC Berkeley is at the forefront of a critical moment in the life sciences. Our climate of rigorous and creative cross-disciplinary exchange sets the stage for critical advances, groundbreaking discovery, and opportunity for our students and faculty to thrive in their chosen fields. We affirm and uphold our campus principles of community and recognize the intrinsic relationship between diversity and excellence in all of our endeavors. As scholars and scientists, we know the critical value of multiple perspectives. As members of the Biological Sciences community, we see that we each have an important role to play in respecting and valuing difference, in creating an inclusive, equitable environment, and in fostering true belonging.

Current activities include programs and initiatives at multiple levels to foster the next generation of leaders in biology and build a more inclusive scientific community where everyone shares a sense of belonging. Our division attracts exceptional scholars and is known for producing leaders in industry and academia and is actively committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all areas and we strive to remove historical and systematic barriers to access and success. Recruitment alone won’t solve the problem — our division understands the urgent need to cultivate an environment in which all students are set up to succeed and top talent is encouraged to remain in academia.