Mission Statement:

In the Department of Integrative Biology, we embrace and encourage diversity in many forms and are committed to inclusivity among our community members, including all students, staff, and faculty. We define diversity as people of different backgrounds, races, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, beliefs, religions, socio-economic statuses, and more, and inclusivity as an approach where we respect, welcome, encourage, and engage diverse perspectives. Our strength and success as a department, graduate program, and university, is built on the foundation of a wide range of perspectives and experiences.

Additional resources and information can be found on the College's Diversity & Inclusion website. 

Equity and Inclusion Discussion Group

The Department of Integrative Biology holds monthly meetings of the Equity and Inclusion discussion group. The goal of this group is not to provide diversity training, but to examine barriers and solutions to departmental diversity and equity concerns. The E&I Discussion Group exists to address the marginalization of people in our community. We aim to support the professional growth, esteem, health, resilience, and recognition of our colleagues who are at risk based on gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Our main focus is to promote the participation, support, visibility and success of the most vulnerable in our department.

This discussion group has a cross-hierarchical leadership team. Currently, it is led by Professor Steve Phelps, postdoc Desirè Buckley, and EEB graduate student Mackenzie Johnson.

If you are affiliated with our department, we invite you to attend the meetings. In order to do so, please:
1) Familiarize yourself with the Ground Rules which can be downloaded here
2) Sign up for the ib_diversity listserv on UT lists which can be accessed  here

Graduate Program Diversity and Inclusivity

Family-friendly workplace resources

We have compiled information on the current policies for parents in the College of Natural Sciences. For more information or details, please contact us. 

Lactation and Quiet Rooms