A Note on EDI From the Department Chair
Lesley Curtis, PhD
The Department of Population Health Sciences is committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in our research, teaching, operations, and daily interactions. We acknowledge the deep impact of systemic inequities and health disparities and recognize our responsibility to foster meaningful change. As an academic community, we thrive when we embrace diverse perspectives and experiences, working together to improve health for all.
Guided by our EDI Advisory Group, we continuously evaluate our environment and processes to expand opportunities for inclusivity. We implement transparent hiring and advancement practices to reduce bias, promote inclusive excellence in our classrooms, and support underrepresented students through mentorship and training. We are dedicated to cultivating a diverse and innovative research community that reflects our commitment to equity.
Achieving lasting change requires sustained effort and accountability. We integrate EDI contributions into faculty and staff evaluations and share our progress openly. Through collaboration and shared commitment, we strive to build a community that is inclusive, respectful, and pluralistic in thought and practice.
We invite you to join us in shaping a future where diversity and equity are foundational to population health sciences. Together, we can create a healthier and more just world for everyone.
Read Duke University's Institutional Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Thoughts on Our Direction from the EDI Vice Chair
Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, PhD
I am honored to contribute to the ongoing efforts of the Department of Population Health Sciences’ EDI Committee as its new Vice-Chair.
Please join me in expressing gratitude to Dr. Tomi Akinyemiju for her exemplary leadership as Vice-Chair from 2019 to 2024. Under her direction, the EDI Committee has advanced many effective initiatives, including the development of the DPHS hiring toolkit, which has significantly enhanced diversity in our department.
Since its inception five years ago, the EDI Committee has made notable strides toward dismantling policies and practices that have historically excluded minoritized groups from attending and working at private institutions like Duke University. Yet, there remains much work to be done.
Our diversity drives our excellence — and we have a collective responsibility to challenge systems of oppression, fight injustice, and foster a departmental culture that welcomes everyone.
As Vice-Chair of the EDI Committee, I will rely heavily on the lived experiences and expertise of everyone in our department to inform and shape our shared priorities for the next year. I look forward to engaging with students, trainees, staff, and faculty in the coming months to identify opportunities for DPHS’s continued growth and improvement.
We are steadfast in our commitment to enhancing both personal and departmental accountability to uphold the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work, as well as advocating for fair and transparent policies that impact Duke at large. I am genuinely excited to do this work with all of you.