Diversity

The Biomedical Sciences graduate programs are committed to increasing the impact and quality of its faculty and graduate students by fostering a diverse, collaborative environment that promotes respect and civility, provides equal access to opportunities, and free from harassment, bullying, intimidation, and threatening behavior that interferes with the ability to work or study.

The contributions of scientists whose backgrounds encompass diversity including culture, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, and economic background are vital to our creative and productive research environment. Incorporating diversity in our community, curriculum, and research are essential for improving the health and knowledge of all.

As a part of this strategy, we strive to provide a learning environment that supports all of our students during their training. Together with the Graduate School Diversity Office, we offer programming and a list of resources on student and community organizations as well as cultural resources.

Behaviors that are inconsistent with our community values and standards of conduct may be reported by contacting the Associate Dean of Graduate Education, Colin Campbell or to the appropriate UMN division.

Learn more about the NIH process for handling allegations of sexual harassment on a NIH-funded project. 

Leadership and Excellence to Advance Diversity in Biomedical Research (LEADR) 

The overarching goal of the LEADR program is to develop a diverse pool of well-trained Ph.D. biomedical scientists, who have the technical, professional, and operational skills required to transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce. The UMN LEADR pilot program consists of six first-year and six second-year graduate students in the BGREAT graduate programs who will engage in formalized professional development and leadership training in an inclusive and supportive research education learning community for trainees from traditionally underrepresented groups.

Speakers Bureau

The BGREAT Biomedical Sciences Speakers Bureau is an initiative to engage our faculty with biomedical science related departments at Minority Serving Institutions and to inform students from traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM about graduate opportunities at the University of Minnesota.

All programming events sponsored at the UMN or outside institutions may be found on the BGREAT calendar. Please contact Dr. Danielle Watt for questions regarding these events. 

Conversation Starter 

Conversations Speaker Series

An annual five-part invited speaker series centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion in science focused on the following three topic areas:

1. Defining Your Role in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, where you will identify your role in DEI work as a student, postdoc, staff & faculty member

2. History of Isms in Science, where you will be informed, understand, and reflect upon the history of racism, sexism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination and oppression in science

3. Combating Isms in Science, where you will learn strategies from leaders and peers in various STEM careers to implement a change in culture