Social Justice Lecture Series

Mission:  We are a team of graduate students working together to engage the chemistry department in discussion of social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion issues to promote a culture of respect, awareness, and acceptance.

Initiatives:

Social Justice Seminar:  

Starting in Spring 2021, the Chemistry department will invite outside speakers from the greater community and state of Minnesota to lead discussion on a variety of social issues that intersect with our lives as scientists. Our vision is to have these kinds of social justice seminars become more commonplace in the department and promote a culture normalizing conversations around uncomfortable topics. Our next speaker is Prof. Grace Lasker, Teaching Professor and Director of Health Studies at the University of Washington Bothell. Her research focuses on the intersection of toxicology, green chemistry, and public health.  This seminar will focus on Implementing systems-thinking and sustainability frameworks for justice-centered change. The Seminar will be on Tuesday April 11th at 9:45 am in Smith 331, and will also be broadcasted on Zoom: https://z.umn.edu/ChemistrySeminars 


Volunteer Opportunities:

Check out members of the department volunteering at Dream of Wild Health farm during the summer. Volunteers gleaned green onions for donation to a local food justice organization and helped in some innovative farming practices to sustainably nourish the soil. Upcoming volunteer opportunities will be posted here, email chemsjls@umn.edu if you'd like to be on the email list to be notified of future opportunities.

Volunteers at DWH Farm

DWH Farm

Volunteers at DWH Farm

Diversity and Inclusion Moments: 

Including D&I moments at the start of seminars promotes a culture of acceptance, support, belongingness, respect, and awareness in the department. It helps normalize DEI language by introducing highly relevant topics and cultivates a receptive environment within the department when facing discourse about uncomfortable or unfamiliar topics. 

If you are presenting a D&I moment follow the SOP resources.

The Social Justice Lecture Series Committee will be maintaining records on D&I moments presented at seminars. This information will help track changes in the DEI culture in the department.  If you plan to deliver a D&I moment at a department seminar, please enter your information on a google form.

You can use this Land Acknowledgment slide that our committee has prepared, or use this as a template to make your own.  Please see these resources on how to properly give a land acknowledgment

Social Justice Educational Discussion Guides:

Interested in learning more about social issues relevant to our Twin Cities communities? The Social Justice Lecture Series has created a series of materials (documents and Powerpoints) that can help you start conversations around these topics. The goal of these materials are just to provide a brief overview on such topics and guided discussion questions as well as a variety of additional resources if you are interested in learning more. Please click on the following topics to be redirected to a folder containing these resources.

Contact:

If you have feedback for us on D&I moments or any other suggestions, please include them on a google form:

Members: