students sitting on campus

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our Mission Statement

Diversity refers to individual differences that include ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. The Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Washington University welcomes the richness that diversity brings to our community. We hope to model and enhance the appreciation of diversity by:

  • Attracting faculty, students, and staff of diverse backgrounds to our Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences and Psychology Programs
  • Fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and inclusion in which all individuals are supported and integrated within our academic and social communities
  • Welcoming honest and open discussion regarding diversity issues
  • Incorporating diversity as a central issue in our academic curriculum to facilitate student research and clinical work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
  • Enhancing awareness of diversity issues through ongoing research
     

Diversity Science

What is Diversity Science?

Diversity Science is not a separate area of graduate study in the Department, but provides an opportunity to apply work in all areas of psychological science to understanding the causes of bias and disparities and eventually to eliminate them. Diversity Science is the scientific study of the causes of racism, socioeconomic and health disparities, and bias.  Research in Psychological & Brain Sciences includes research on early adversity, the development and expression of bias across the lifespan, intergroup relationships and conflict, and the mechanisms of disparities in health and well-being across the lifespan, as well as in access to health care and education.

 

Diversity Talk Videos

PBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee 

 

This department-level committee is dedicated to continually improving the department’s environment with regard to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is an action-oriented committee that is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion at various levels within the department, including its culture, practices, and systems. The committee’s members span a wide range of positions in the department, representing all groups other than undergraduate students (e.g., graduate students, staff, faculty). The committee is tasked with working on department-level policy and procedures related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as overseeing the development and organization of activities and initiatives related to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (e.g., inviting speakers, hosting workshops). The PBS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee works closely with the department chair and the Diversity Committee of the Psychology Graduate Student Association.

 

 

 

 

 

PBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Members

  • Kristin Van Engen (co-chair)
  • Zach Reagh (co-chair)
  • Emily Wilroth (faculty rep)
  • Josh Oltmanns (faculty rep)

Student Members

  • SynClaire Arthur
  • Chris Nuno
  • Maddie Valdez
  • Qilin Zhang

Staff Members

  • Ali Adams (staff rep)

 

Resources

As a community committed to the relentless pursuit of excellence, we must be a diverse community. We must also be a community where all people feel represented, valued and included as equal members.

― Andrew D. Martin Chancellor