HEI acts to promote diversity

HEI has been heartened by the renewed and widespread attention to the persistent racism that excludes certain people and groups from the full opportunity to engage in endeavors of American society, including scientific education and research. As an institution, HEI recognizes that it too may have contributed, even if unconsciously, to the development and perpetuation of these exclusions. We also know that our ongoing work to investigate the potential disparate health effects of air pollution on diverse populations will be significantly enriched by taking concrete action to engage these excluded populations in every aspect of our work.

To renew our commitment to promote inclusion, we seek to focus on individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been underrepresented for generations in environment and health research (i.e., African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and other groups identified by the National Institutes of Health). HEI will take every step to engage and provide a welcoming environment for underrepresented scientists in the scientific work of HEI; provide a safe and welcoming environment for all at HEI, free from discrimination of all types, including race, gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity, national origin, and disability; and take both immediate and sustained action.

A fuller description of HEI’s plan and actions is available for downloading below.