Inclusive Excellence

Department of Human Genetics Committee on Inclusive Excellence

Mission Statement

Our mission is to lead the collective growth of the UCLA Human Genetics community towards becoming a more inclusive environment. We will focus our efforts on specific target areas that aim to: (1) dismantle barriers to success that often restrict underrepresented and marginalized groups; (2) support the professional development of individuals from these groups; (3) challenge and re-structure policies that unintentionally build inequity into our systems; (4) educate our research community on issues relevant to our mission; and (5) partner with our local communities on science education initiatives to meet the needs of our Los Angeles neighbors. Throughout our endeavors, we will set clear objectives and assess outcomes to measure shared progress towards improving our culture and climate.

Science in the field of Human Genetics must acknowledge its racist legacy and counter the weaponization of genetics research by white supremacists

This editorial published in the journal Nature (June 2022) provides an excellent summary of how traditional science – particularly at the dawn of the field of Human Genetics – has advanced racist ideas.

Another editorial, also published in Nature (October 2022), describes how white supremacist groups are misusing scientific findings in an attempt to justify their racist ideology, and calls on geneticists to counter the weaponization of their research by rethinking the way they conduct their research and communicate their results.

A large study Nature (November 2023) finds significant pay gaps for disabled scientists.

Relevant Resources at the David Geffen School of Medicine

Additional Resources and Relevant Reading

Committee Members

The members of the Committee on Inclusive Excellence are drawn from every stakeholder group in the Department of Human Genetics, including the Vice Chairs for Inclusion, basic science and clinical faculty, academic researchers, postdoctoral scholars, administrative and clinical staff, and students of the Human Genetics PhD Program and the MS in Genetic Counseling Program. The committee convenes monthly. The Vice Chairs attend weekly meetings with the other Department leaders, and monthly meetings with the Vice Dean for Inclusive Excellence and other leaders in the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), where they can bring the concerns and recommendations of the committee to the departmental and DGSOM campus leadership.