Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Welcome to the MIT School of Science Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), housed within the Office of the Dean. Created in 2021, this office is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment.

As our DEI Vision Statement below outlines, we believe that talented people come from all backgrounds and communities, but that a lack of access to resources and opportunity can limit inclusion. We owe it to ourselves to ensure that every member of our community feels a sense of inclusion and belonging.

Our School of Science DEI Annual Report 2023 provides information on DEI activities across the school. This builds on our School of Science DEI Action Framework, which serves as the school’s DEI blueprint over the next few years. This framework supports the MIT Strategic Action Plan for Belonging, Achievement, and Composition.

Research shows that DEI and scientific excellence mutually reinforce each other. Research also shows that underrepresented groups face greater challenges and obstacles in the workplace. Given this, we reinforce our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive School of Science.

Kuheli Dutt (she/her)
Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
kdutt@mit.edu

DEI Vision Statement

The School of Science is committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive network and is proud to draw on the best talent in the world. We strive to ensure that each member of our community thrives, which is key to ensuring the educational excellence and scientific advancement that is central to our mission as an institution of higher learning. Our premise is simple: talented people come from all backgrounds but gaps in access and opportunity for some groups cause challenges and a lack of inclusion. Being able to recruit the best talent ensures that we continue to do the best science. Our collective vision of excellence focuses on promoting scientific advancement by ensuring that our most valuable asset – our people – feel a sense of belonging and inclusion, which strengthens our science and our community.

Meet the Science DEI Team

Science department DEI Officers

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Programs and initiatives

DEI work encompasses various areas of the MIT School of Science. Learn more about our programs and initiatives.

Academic and faculty affairs

In faculty affairs, the MIT Science DEI Office has created an updated Faculty Search Handbook, which provides guidelines on conducting faculty searches. In addition, the office created guidelines for annual faculty review. Learn more about initiatives in academic and faculty affairs.

Awards and fellowships

The MIT Science DEI Office offers select awards and fellowships to staff, graduate students, postdocs, and departments. Learn more about these select award programs.

Outreach and community programs

The School of Science leads and participates in outreach and community programs to increase the diversity at MIT and in the STEM pipeline. Since 2021, the School of Science has supported important recruitment and retention programs such as attendance at the annual SACNAS conference and the Navajo Math Circles program. Learn more about these outreach and community programs.

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Resources

MIT provides resources to community members at the Institute, school, and department level. Learn more about these resources.

DEI research and scholarship

The MIT School of Science DEI office provides a select list of social science research studies on STEM diversity and inclusion that show underrepresented groups typically face more biases and obstacles. Research also shows that members from underrepresented groups typically shoulder the burden of doing DEI work.

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