Diversity and Inclusion

handsNeurobiology is strongly committed to improving diversity in biomedical sciences. We actively recruit students from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and we continuously work towards maintaining a culture in which everyone feels welcomed, valued, and supported. While our own Diversity & Inclusion Committee serves our department, we also work with partners across campus (see below). In addition, Duke offers a variety of awards/fellowships to support students, including the Dean’s Graduate Fellowship and the Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP).

Campus partners

Office of Biomedical Graduate Education (OBGE)

OBGE coordinates activities that are not specific to individual programs but impact all graduate students associated with the School of Medicine and its interdisciplinary programs. OBGE is committed to diversity and inclusion and seeks to maximize the recruitment and retention efforts for individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the National Science Foundation to be underrepresented in health-related sciences, also including individuals with disabilities. Working closely with the Graduate School at Duke and the Office of Diversity & Inclusion within the Duke School of Medicine, OBGE provides doctoral students in the biomedical sciences with access to university-wide resources and support systems and targeted fellowships to support students.

Center for Multicultural Affairs

The Center for Multicultural Affairs (CMA) promotes community engagement, multicultural education, leadership development, and social justice education among the student population. Their programs and services aim to empower students and their organizations to create a vibrant and inclusive community.

Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity

The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity provides education, advocacy, support, mentoring, academic engagement, and space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, transsexual, intersex, questioning, queer and allied students, staff, and faculty at Duke. The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity also serves and supports Duke alumni/ae and the greater LGBTQ community.

Disability Management System (DMS) and Student Disability Access Office (SDAO)

The DMS provides leadership to our efforts to ensure an accessible, hospitable working and learning environment for people with disabilities while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. They serve as a centralized clearinghouse on disABILITY-related information, procedures and services. The SDAO uses a multifaceted team-based approach to determine eligibility for services and accommodations to qualified graduate students. Their goal is to provide and coordinate accommodations that enable students with disabilities to have equal access to all Duke University programs and activities.

Office for Institutional Equity

The Office for Institutional Equity helps advance Duke’s culture of diversity, inclusion, equality, and belonging through educational opportunities and resources.