Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
We are committed to building an inclusive community that welcomes and supports individuals with a broad range of lived experiences, cultures, identities, backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives. That’s a crucial foundation for academic excellence. And it’s the only way to make progress on the many public health challenges facing the world.
The Power of Diversity
Harvard Chan School enrolls a higher proportion of international students than any other school of public health; nearly 40% of our student body is from outside the U.S. Our entire student body—like our faculty and staff—is diverse across many dimensions. The breadth of experiences, identities, and insights reflected here enrich all activities across the School, starting with teaching and learning.
We aim to nurture a pluralistic culture where all members of the community approach areas of difference with respect, openness, and humility and learn to navigate disagreements productively.
Building a Culture of Inclusivity
Our Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) hosts regular workshops, discussions, guest lectures, and social events designed to strengthen the community’s understanding of and engagement with the rich diversity at Harvard Chan School. ODI also works with academic departments and administrative units on strategic plans to support equity and inclusion.
LEAD (Learn and Engage Across Differences), an initiative rolled out in 2024, aims to build capacity among students, faculty, and staff to hold constructive conversations across differences and strengthen a commitment to pluralism. Programming starts at Orientation and continues throughout the academic year.
Affinity groups for students (and a few for faculty and staff) bring together people with similar backgrounds, experiences, or identities to support one another. Harvard Chan School’s affinity groups are student-led and vary each year.
Pluralism is not just tolerance, but the active seeking of understanding across lines of difference.
The Harvard Pluralism Project
Community Engagement
Building an inclusive culture and pluralistic community requires focusing outward as well as inward. Many of our faculty, trainees, and students work closely with community groups, both in Boston and around the world.
By listening to, learning from, and collaborating with these diverse organizations, we expand our understanding of both public health challenges and potential solutions.
