Integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Into an Academic Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2021 Jan;19(1):61-65. doi: 10.1176/appi.focus.20200024. Epub 2021 Jan 25.

Abstract

This article highlights one department's efforts to bolster diversity, equity, and inclusion as an exemplar for other academic departments. It offers an approach for building an infrastructure and leadership group and details accomplishments associated with strategic plan priorities related to visibility, values, stakeholder education, recruitment, retention, promotion, and community engagement. It also delineates challenges encountered in transforming a departmental culture to one that is more diverse, equitable, and inclusive and strategies for overcoming these challenges. Finally, it discusses next steps and recommendations for other academic departments.

Keywords: Cross-cultural issues; Education-Psychiatric, Diversity; Equity; Inclusion.