Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Department of Biology in a number of ways including:

  • Developing zero-tolerance, anti-racism and anti-discrimination policies and putting procedures in place that effectively handle complaints about racism, discrimination, and harrassment.
  • Reviewing and propose changes to policies and practices to enable equity, diversity and inclusion for groups that have been historically excluded.
  • Organizing events--such as speakers, workshops, lunch and learns, journal clubs, courses, and social gatherings--where honest and open discussions can occur.
  • Creating a reporting system for all department members and space to have conversations about racially charged incidents.
  • Providing support for the recipients of the bias and consequences for the person(s) responsible.
  • Working with campus organizations (such as LSAMP) that support undergraduate and graduate students who are underrepresented, first-generation, non-traditional, or disabled.
  • Recommending best practices to department administration and department committees.

DEI Committee Information

Reporting issues, concerns, or incidents

  • Reports or concerns can be delivered anonymously to the Biology DEI committee via this
    reporting form (name/email fields are optional).
     
  • The University of Kentucky has a Bias Incident Report Form for incidents of bias, hate, bigotry and/or identity-based violence. Please see this page for more details including how to submit a report providing information only and one asking for action.
     
  • The University of Kentucky also has a Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct Report Form for reporting discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct. You may also make a report by contacting the Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity at 859-257-8927 and speaking with a staff member.
     
  • Concerns can also be sent to Dr. Christia Spears Brown, Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence in the College of Arts & Sciences: christia.brown@uky.edu
     
  • If you would like to get in touch with the DEI committee directly via e-mail, messages can sent to: dei.biology@uky.edu
     
  • None of these options are mutually exclusive; for example, you may both submit a report using one of the UK forms and contact the DEI committee and Dr. Brown.
     
  • If you have immediate safety concerns or an emergency, please immediately contact UKPD at 1-859-257-UKPD(8573) or 911.