#  About Us 

 



##  About Us 

 

 

       ![Jonathan Schmitt image of bird](/sites/g/files/omnuum6811/files/styles/hwp_28_10__1920x685/public/2025-07/c_jonathan_schmitt-1.jpg?h=3ba92376&itok=03AKVsIn) 

 

 



 

 



 

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### **History of the OEB Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Committee**

The OEB DIB Committee formed in January 2021 following months of community-wide surveys and town halls. In Fall 2020, the FAS Division of Science asked departments to conduct climate surveys; OEB was among eight that partnered with Harvard College Institutional Research to develop, administer, and analyze a department-specific climate survey. In October OEB hosted a Climate Survey Town Hall to present the survey’s results and to hold an open Q & A with the OEB community.

A key outcome of the town hall was the creation and empowerment of the OEB DIB committee, a standing committee composed of representatives from all departmental constituencies dedicated to creating a more inclusive community. The committee held its first meeting on January 20 2021, and has since met monthly.

### **Mission Statement**

The department-wide, permanent OEB Diversity, Inclusion, and Belong (DIB) Committee aims to acknowledge, address, and repair systemic injustice within our community and throughout science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through the misapplication of the theory of Darwinism to explain social phenomena, use of collections as a tool for colonialism, and promotion of discriminatory ideas such as eugenics, our field of biology has helped propagate systems of oppression against Black, Indigenous, and people of color, people with (dis)abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ communities, among others. As a community we acknowledge that we have contributed to this problem and have much to learn. We are dedicated to the work that is necessary to create meaningful and lasting change in our department and beyond.

We commit to: 1) Researching and documenting areas of discrimination and inequity within our community; 2) Educating ourselves and our departmental community about the value of diversity and best practices to reduce prejudices; 3) Cultivating and actively fostering a more inclusive environment. These commitments will be applied to areas such as recruitment and retention, inclusive excellence, mentorship, departmental values, accountability, and outreach. Our committee members include students, staff, and faculty associated with OEB and affiliated institutions, including museums. With input from all constituencies, we aim to identify, develop, and implement resources, trainings, and initiatives focused on promoting diversity, inclusion, and belonging. With significant effort, we envision a future community where everyone feels welcome, heard, and supported within our department.