The Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics recognizes that the inclusion of all within its community – including faculty, trainees, staff, and students – is an essential component of our mission to improve biomedical research and human health through the application of quantitative science and the incorporation of innovative technologies. With leadership from the Committee on Culture, Engagement, and Impact, we are committed to proactively fostering an environment in which all perspectives and backgrounds are welcome and thrive. Specifically, we recognize and embrace our shared humanity, strive to see each of us live up to our full potential as scientists, as educators, as trainees, as managers, as administrators, as members of society and our community. We celebrate each other's successes, strengthen each other in adversity, and recognize our independent as well as shared ambitions.
We are committed to taking action in support of our core values of respect and inclusion. Our faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to speak openly, honestly, and without retribution about discrimination. We will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, nationality, language, sexual orientation, disability, or religion.
- Conduct open searches for faculty and staff.
- Have a set of speakers from different backgrounds and perspectives for events and speaker series hosted by the department with nominations accepted by all members of the department.
- Provide transparency through our Departmental Faculty Handbook regarding the process of hiring, mentoring and promotion.
- Provide formal mentoring to all junior faculty through a committee with 3 mentors.
- Maintain funding (10% effort) for the role of Associate Chair for Culture, Engagement, and Impact.
- Engage with faculty, staff and students directly and through the Committee on Culture, Engagement, and Impact to identify new areas for progress.
- Help students from all backgrounds in the department find communities to support them across Duke.
- Create a safe, inclusive environment for all our faculty, trainees, staff, and students.
- Recognize and reinforce ethical behavior and science.
- Recognize and reward contributions that enrich each other, our department, our institution, our communities.
- Reaffirm our common humanity and celebrate our differences.
The following initiatives were prioritized by a process of engagement with all members of the Committee, first to brainstorm initiatives of potential interest and then an anonymous survey gauged level of interest and willingness to lead and/or participate.
- Student sub-committee: work with students to address student needs.
- Work with Education Program to develop strategies to recruit and support students from all backgrounds and perspectives.
- Community Outreach Working Group: provide exposure and experience to Durham High School students.
- Survey/Focus groups: how to better support the department.
Duke University has a rich variety of groups and communities of support.
Visit the School of Medicine Office for Culture, Engagement, and Impact for a wide variety of resources.