The Department of Sociology and Criminology unequivocally supports diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom, in recruitment and retention practices, in scholarly research, and in the social life of our community. Together, we strive to foster a nurturing and productive environment for all students, staff, and faculty, irrespective of their race, ethnic and national background, gender, sexuality, age, religious affiliation, physical ability, social class, and national origin. It is our conviction that the variety of experiences and viewpoints in our community  - as well as open yet respectful dialogue between them  -- promote sociological imagination in aspiring social scientists, elevate the quality of faculty research,  and, ultimately, foster a democratic and just society outside the walls of our department. We therefore heed the call issued by our colleagues at other universities to recognize and embrace the symbiosis between diversity and excellence in academia.

In line with this stance, we condemn any expressions of racism, bigotry, white supremacy, and hate on our campus and beyond. Discrimination, bullying, and harassment, whether explicit or achieved through microaggressions, have no place in our community and will not be tolerated. We stand in solidarity with our students and employees who protest police brutality against Black, Latinx, and other people of color, and who fight for social justice and civic, economic, and reproductive rights of all Americans.

The initiatives that our department is currently pursuing to promote diversity, equity, and civility in our community include:

• Expanding mentoring programs and creating more professional development opportunities for students from underrepresented groups;
• “De-colonizing” our syllabi;
• Building a database of anti-racist materials to be included in our courses;
• Raising awareness of potential bias in teaching, research and other practices;
• Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty, students, and staff that represent the diversity of our community;
• Strengthening existing and establishing new collaborative relationships with a diverse range of on-campus and off-campus partners.

Our department’s values align with the College of Liberal Arts and The University of Iowa’s commitment to justice and diversity. Please see relevant college and university policies and resources below:

University of Iowa Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
University of Iowa DEI Policies
University of Iowa’s DEI Action Plan
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Action Plan