Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity

Commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity is central to the Mathematics Department’s mission. If we are to maintain our global leadership in research and education as we head into the future, it is critical that we welcome and retain the best mathematics students, faculty, and staff. Doing so requires that we create a culture that benefits all those associated with the department by making central a uniform expectation of adherence to the values of equity, inclusion, and diversity. No student, faculty member, or staff member should be held in less esteem, be less influential, or be less able to pursue his or her goals due to characteristics such as his or her race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.

Read the full Department of Mathematics Strategic Plan for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity.

Department of Mathematics Anonymous Feedback Form, click and submit a feedback.

Appointed Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee Members

Committee organizer: Equity Advisor, David Nadler . Please visit the department's Current Committee Assignments page for a complete list of committee members.

Committee contact

Graduate Student Equity & Inclusion Coordinator (GSEIC), Liza Jacoby [gseic [at] math [dot] berkeley [dot] edu]

Special Offering Starting Fall 2023: Mathematics Department BLM Reading Group

I have made a form where you can submit anonymous feedback, concerns, and complaints.

Mission Statement

This reading group is organized by Catherine Cannizzo (based on the 2020 Symplectic Group Action Reading Group) in an effort to learn about anti-Black racism in academia and the context under which it operates. We will consider our role in maintaining the status quo and how we can be active anti-racist allies. We will put this knowledge into concrete action items to implement in the long and short term.

Our Goals

• Study the history of racism.
• Study the prevalence and impact of institutionalized racism and gatekeeping in academia and math.
• Understand how race, as a modality of power, has shaped what is considered to be knowledge and how racism in America is perpetuated by institutions and power structures that go beyond the individual.
• Consider our role in anti-Black racism e.g. via inaction, and how academia sustains white supremacy.
• Research the ways in which we can take action to counteract racism. Identify areas for change in research, teaching, and mentorship and come up with tangible short and long term goals.

Structure

I would like to engage with a community in math academia who care and are committed to the cause. The meetings will include self-reflection exercises and group discussions facilitated by conversation prompts. Having a consistent group to do this work with is important and I therefore ask that you attend as regularly as you can.

I will list some resources and reading material for each meeting but I welcome contributions and suggestions by the participants. I strongly suggest that you do the required reading, viewing, and listening.

I plan to wrap up the reading group by writing a commitment to improve racial equity in our department and in our personal lives. I hope to establish a community and culture of accountability and a space where we can check-in with each other's progress periodically.

Date and Time 

Please RSVP here.

Ground Rules

I ask that everyone abide by the “Agreements for Multicultural Interactions” from the East Bay Meditation Center:

1. Try It On: Be willing to “try on” new ideas, or ways of doing things that might not be what you prefer or are familiar with.
2. Practice Self Focus: Attend to and speak about your own experiences and responses. Do not speak for a whole group or express assumptions about the experience of others.
3. Understand The Difference Between Intent & Impact: Try to understand and acknowledge impact. Denying the impact of something said by focusing on intent is often more destructive than the initial interaction.
4. Practice “Both / And”: When speaking, substitute “and” for “but.” This practice acknowledges and honors multiple realities.
5. Refrain From Blaming Or Shaming Self & Others: Practice giving skillful feedback.
6. Move Up / Move Back: Encourage full participation by all present. Take note of who is speaking and who is not. If you tend to speak often, consider “moving back” and vice versa.
7. Practice Mindful Listening: Try to avoid planning what you’ll say as you listen to others. Be willing to be surprised, to learn something new. Listen with your whole self.
8. Confidentiality: Take home learnings, but don’t identify anyone other than yourself, now or later. If you want to follow up with anyone regarding something they said during a session, ask first and respect their wishes.
9. Right To Pass: You can say “I pass” if you don’t wish to speak.

Schedule of Readings

Here is a GCal you may add to your own calendar. It includes the readings and conversation prompts.