EDI News

Duke Hosts NC Symposium Aimed at Increasing Diversity in the Biomedical Sciences

The 4th Annual North Carolina Biosciences Collaborative Symposium took place on July 28 and 29 at Duke University. The two-day event, hosted by the Duke Biosciences Collaborative for Research Engagement Program (BioCoRE), included national expert speakers, workshops, and a poster session highlighting student research.

Statement from Duke University Leaders Regarding HB2

Duke University is committed to fostering an open, welcoming, inclusive community that respects each individual.  We remain steadfast in our policies of nondiscrimination and inclusion for all of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, patients, fans and visitors.

We deplore in the strongest possible terms the new state law, HB2, that prevents municipalities from establishing laws that protect members of the LGBTQ+ community and others from discrimination and eliminates some economic advancement opportunities for underrepresented communities.

Message regarding HB2

Dear School of Medicine faculty, staff and students,

I was saddened and appalled by the North Carolina state legislature’s recent passage of House Bill 2 (HB2) and the Governor’s failure to use his power to reverse its discriminatory provisions. Understandably, HB2 has provoked outrage from organizations and individuals, both locally and nationally.  I would like to be explicit about the School of Medicine’s position.

Sherilynn Black: Blue Devil of the Week in Duke Today

The School of Medicine's Sherilynn Black, PhD, director of the Office of Biomedical Graduate Diversity and a principal investigator for the Biosciences Collaborative for Research Engagement (BioCoRE) is the Blue Devil of the Week. 

Read about Sherilynn and her work in science and on diversity issues in Duke Today

Duke Issues Statement About NC Law Limiting LGBT Protections

Duke University says activities on its campus will not be impacted by a new state law that prevents local governments from opening bathrooms for people to use based on their gender identity. The school released the following statement about the law, which was enacted on March 23rd:

"Duke University values every individual. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, which makes us a better and stronger community. For that reason, we deplore any effort to deny any person the protection of the law because of sexual orientation or gender identity."

Message from the Dean: Diversity and Inclusion

Dear Colleagues,

The past few weeks have been turbulent and troubling. Through the news we have witnessed horrible violence and terrorism in the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Closer to home we have seen racism, fear and exclusion on university campuses across the country, including our own. It is painful to hear of the intolerance and aggressions, but we need to listen to the voices that are speaking out.

In Pursuit of a DukeMedicine OutList

Student organizations can often play an important role in student advocacy, and DukeMed Pride is no exception. Formerly known as the DukeMed Gay-Straight Alliance, this rebranded organization has been working to create a supportive environment for Duke lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) health professional students and their allies.

School hosts moving Conversation about Race

Nancy Andrews, MD, PhD, dean of the School of Medicine; Ben Reese, PsyD, vice president of the Office for Institutional Equity for Duke University, and Judy Seidenstein, chief diversity officer for the School of Medicine, hosted a community forum about race today in the Learning Hall of the Trent Semans Center. More than 250 learners, faculty members and staff from the School of Medicine attended the standing room only event and shared their thoughts about race.  Many told of personal experiences from their past and more recently that had profoundly affected them.