Inclusion and Belonging
Inclusion and Belonging
The Barnard Biology Department is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive scholarly environment. We act on the belief that a breadth of perspectives, experiences, and voices enriches our understanding of the biological world and contributes to the robustness of our research and education. We regularly address community feedback and create initiatives to improve learning outcomes for all students.
Initiatives and Outcomes
- Transitioned a 240-person introductory lecture course to four smaller sections, allowing students to more deeply engage with their professors and peers.
- Introduced the Seminar Speaker and Coffee Hour Series, highlighting scientists with a range of backgrounds, experience, and expertise.
- Promoted inclusive teaching practices for departmental faculty, teaching staff, and student TAs through workshops in collaboration with the Center for Engaged Pedagogy.
- Provided programming to demystify the research career path, including student panels, lab open houses, and workshops.
- Implemented a structured hiring process and increased recruitment outreach to enhance transparency and accessibility in student employment.
- Established the Biology Ambassadors program to promote outreach and student engagement in our department.
- Formed the Barnard Biology Opportunities newsletter and created a biology opportunities repository open to all Barnard students.