About SOLS DEI Initiative
In 2020, Arizona State University School of Life Sciences (SOLS) created the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiative, including a Special Advisor to the Director and the DEI Committee, to transform our institutional structures and culture to better support ASU’s Charter and improve wellbeing across our diverse community.
Our Mission:
School of Life Sciences DEI Committee works across our school, Arizona State University, and national networks, to develop an inclusive and thriving community that reflects the sociodemographic diversity of our state and nation. The SOLS DEI Committee works to ensure that human diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to decision-making, resource allocation, policies, and practices in support of our academic mission.
Our Vision:
The School of Life Sciences DEI Initiative aspires to displace systemic prejudice to create a safe, inclusive and just environment where all community members can thrive, especially those from groups that have been marginalized in Life Sciences.
News on diversity
Tools and Resources
Centers, initiatives and programs
Stay tuned to learn more about how to get involved in JEDI programs and initiatives across the School of Life Sciences and ASU, including training programs, inclusive teaching fellowships, and national research opportunities.
Upcoming Events
Save the date for the JEDI/HMMI retreat, coming up on April 9 and 23! We also hope you’ll join us for listening sessions, discussions, and seminars. Full list coming soon!
Additional resources
We’ve compiling a set of resources for additional learning, perspective, support and involvement - both in and outside the ASU community. We will continue to update our spreadsheet, so continue to check back for latest book recommendations, article links and more!
Spotlight on inclusion
Member spotlight in the news
School of Life Sciences faculty members, Jeffrey Jensen and Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee member, Janet Neisewander, receive Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award.
Inclusive Teaching Fellowship Program
An initiative to train student and faculty member teams, and revise medium-enrollment and high- enrollment undergraduate courses, using evidence-based best practices in inclusive pedagogy and curriculum design. Inclusive Teaching teams will begin their work in Spring 2021!
Member spotlight in the news
ASU School of Life Sciences virologist and Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee member, Arvind Varsani pursues research of all kinds on all continents
The Research Inclusive STEM Education (RISE) Center
Promotes equity in the experiences of undergraduates in STEM through innovative education research conducted at scale, leading to the development of best practices for inclusive STEM education.
Special Advisor to the Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Meet the committee members
Current members
Past members
2022 members
- Austin Blackmon
- Sara Brownell
- Adrian Fisher
- Sharon Hall
- Yize Li
- Kate MacCord
- Maneesha Muralinath
- Janet Neisewander
- Mehreen Tahir
- Arvind Varsani
2021 members
- Gro Amdam
- Sara Brownell
- Nde Bassin Jobe
- Joshua Caulkins
- Kelle Dhein
- Laureano Gherardi Arbizu
- Sharon Hall
- Kate MacCord
- John McCutcheon
- Janet Neisewander
- Arvind Varsani