New York University has initiated a number of initiatives to facilitate the goal of building a culture that respects and embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. DEI is a term used to describe any policy or program that works to cultivate an environment that is welcoming to all regardless of cross sectional identity and background.
In addition to the university-wide initiatives, the Center for Data Science pledges to the following DEI mission:
DEI Mission Statement
Build a culture and environment that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion as we recognize the importance of these ideals in advancing innovation and knowledge in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Center for Data Science DEI Commitment
Fostering an Ongoing Dialogue
By cultivating transparent and honest dialogue among students, faculty, researchers, staff, and leadership we can create a truly diverse and inclusive community at CDS. Without open communication, we as a community cannot grow, challenge our preconceived notions, and welcome people from all backgrounds. Based on this belief, CDS is committed to:
- Aligning the community members’ understanding of DE&I concepts and terminology through ongoing training sessions, regular workshops, consistent dialogue, and transparent “open doors” communication policy.
- Ensuring the CDS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee has sufficient support to do its work and continue to meet every month.
- Including students and research representatives in CDS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee processes, specifically by inviting student and research representatives to committee meetings on a semesterly basis.
Building A Diverse Community
It is crucial to form a community that represents a breadth of backgrounds and experiences, especially as data scientists. To ensure our contributions to the realm of data science are unbiased, we must create a community that as best as possible represents the world we live in. CDS is therefore committed to:
- Continuing the effort to value diversity in the CDS community and taking steps to attract, recruit, retain, and engage students, faculty, researchers, and staff members from all backgrounds including and especially those of historically underrepresented identities.
- Developing a research internship program that is open to all interested candidates and will serve to connect and engage a broad-ranging, diverse group of students in STEM.
- Expanding the CDS Partners Program’s Diversity Initiative to provide financial support for students.
Creating an Inclusive Community
It is our responsibility to create an environment where people from all walks of life are respected, heard, and feel their experience and perspective is valued. To this end, CDS is committed to:
- Supporting student organizations and activities that foster a sense of belonging to the CDS community
- Collaborating closely with NYU’s Office of Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Strategic Innovation to provide continuous diversity and equity education to ensure community inclusion.