Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Our Mission
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are part of our university’s fundamental mission and are integral to the achievement of academic excellence. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is supported by actions taken in different areas of academic life. We strive to:
• Recruit diverse faculty and students and support them through their career.
• Ensure diversity in perspectives, backgrounds, and fields of study in our seminar series and sponsor seminars highlighting research in health disparities.
• Promote best practices for creating an inclusive and diverse learning and research environment.
• Increase the awareness of how diversity, equity, and inclusion are incorporated in the design and development of extracurricular activities.
Vision Statement
We are proactive in creating an environment that welcomes people from all workplace backgrounds. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty, staff, and trainees as we recognize that interaction amongst scientists and trainees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences bring different perspectives, creativity, and individual enterprise to address complex scientific problems. A diverse team fosters scientific innovation, enhances global competitiveness, contributes to robust learning environments, improves the quality of the researchers, advances the likelihood that underserved communities will benefit from health research, and enhances public trust.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Highlights in DPNS
As we intentionally plan towards diversifying our department, we reflect upon our progress. Our department supports and collaborates with college-wide initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Our departmental diversity and inclusion ambassador works closely with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to improve, incorporate, and stay abreast of the best approaches to achieve our goals. Our department has a history of supporting traditionally underrepresented groups among its faculty. Currently, female faculty members serve as department chair and program directors, UK’s Vice President for Research, and as faculty representative on UK’s Board of Trustees. Our faculty also includes the College of Medicine’s Director for Inclusive Research Initiatives who plays an active role in connecting with local schools, collaborating with admissions committees, and facilitating experiential learning opportunities. We also have a growing cadre of URM trainees who are successfully pursuing graduate and postgraduate careers and contributing to the academic and scientific workforce.
Advancement Team
The department of pharmacology and nutritional sciences (DPNS) will continue to be intentional and proactive as we grow a better, stronger, and more inclusive team. With this goal, we have established the DPNS DEI Advancement Team, including students, staff and faculty that meet quarterly with the goal to implement strategies to keep an inclusive workplace and to plan formal and informal activities that reinforce positive interactions amongst the members of the department.