Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
A Core Mission of Radical Hospitality and Inclusivity
The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego began its first academic year in October 2020 with a core mission of “radical hospitality and inclusivity,” centering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in its approach to public health research, education, and service. JEDI-informed approaches are broadly concerned with the commitment to increasing diversity in its myriad forms, working to challenge bias and discrimination to promote impartial equity, and pursuing deliberate practices to ensure that all feel a sense of belonging and respect. At our school, JEDI efforts also explicitly include and address social determinants of health as legitimate and routine aspects of public health research and practice and include but are not limited to antiracist strategies.
Advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
When the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health was established on Sept. 19, 2021, we knew that we would need to center our school’s values around justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. Dean Cheryl A.M. Anderson, Ph.D., M.P.H., and Interim Associate Dean for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Sonia Jain, Ph.D., discuss the steps we are taking to improve access and success for faculty, staff and students; the impact on our communities; and addressing disparities in public health.
In 2020, Dean Anderson was honored with the annual Inclusive Excellence Awards, which honors staff, faculty, students, departments and organizational units or groups that make outstanding contributions in the areas of inclusion, equity, diversity and the UC San Diego Principles of Community. She was nominated by David A. Brenner, MD, Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences at UC San Diego, for her commitment to advance equity, justice and wellbeing for all.
