Fostering a Culture Where Differences Are Valued

The UW School of Medicine is committed to assuring that the climate of the research and research training community is welcoming and respectful.

The programs and resources shared here are available to all members of the community who support and are committed to this mission.

Affinity Groups

Biomedical Research Affinity Groups

Biomedical Research Affinity Groups are groups of graduate students and postdocs formed based on shared social identities and characteristics, including allies who support those identities. Affinity groups are typically created to support, promote and foster a sense of community and belonging within the School of Medicine. Participation is voluntary and may include attending meetings, social events and other activities that allow members to connect, network and learn from one another. These groups are open to all graduate students, postdocs, and their allies in the UW School of Medicine.

Biomedical Research Affinity Groups

Bias Reporting

UW Medicine Bias Reporting Tool

The UW School of Medicine values diversity and inclusion and is committed to building and sustaining an academic community in which teachers, researchers and learners achieve the knowledge, skills and attitudes that value and embrace inclusiveness, equity and awareness as a way to unleash creativity and innovation

The UW Medicine Bias Reporting Tool is for sharing incidents of bias of any form, including but not limited to experiences of racial bias/racism, sexism, ableism, or other actions, behaviors, or processes that do not reflect the prioritization of inclusion and equity expected in all areas of our community.

UW Medicine Bias Reporting Tool

Disability Resources

Accessibility at the UW | This is the university’s centralized accessibility website, which gathers information to provide students, faculty, staff, visitors, patients, and the community with a single-entry point for relevant information about access to UW programs, services, and activities.

ASUW Office of Inclusive Design | The Office of Inclusive Design (OID) is an Associated Students of UW (ASUW) office dedicated to making the university a more inclusive and accessible place for all students. OID provides event consultation services, educational resources, and funding to ASUW Entities and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) who are looking to make their events and office practices more inclusive.

Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT) | The DO-IT center is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through technology and education.

Disability Accommodation Policy | The University’s disability accommodation process is intended to be interactive and collaborative, relying on open communication and active participation between employees and the University.

Disability Accommodation Process: A Manager’s Role | Whether they supervise faculty, staff, or student employees, UW managers play an instrumental role in the accommodation process.

Disability and Deaf Cultural Center | The D Center is a physical and virtual community gathering space for UW students, staff, and faculty who identify as disabled, deaf, or allies.

Disability Resources for Students (DRS) | DRS is dedicated to ensuring access and inclusion for all students with disabilities on the Seattle campus enrolled in our undergraduate, graduate, professional, Evening Degree and Access programs. DRS serves 5,000+ students with either temporary or permanent physical, health, learning, sensory or psychological disabilities.

Disability Services Office (DSO) | DSO provides leadership to the University community in achieving employment and educational access for individuals with disabilities. They provide services and accommodations to faculty, staff, and visiting members of the public with disabilities, accommodation advice and resources for departments, assistive equipment, interpreters, CART captioning, and more.

Disability Staff and Faculty Association (DSFA) | DSFA supports faculty and staff who identify as disabled, deaf, blind/low vision, chronically ill, mad, neurodivergent, or experiencing mental health concerns. Allies of the disability community are also welcome.

Office of the ADA Coordinator | In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and relevant local, state, and federal law, the University provides individuals with disabilities equal access to programs, services and/or activities. Report access barriers on this website.

Resources for Persons with Disabilities | A site with resources including the DSO website, inclusive event checklists, and more.

Diversity Resources

Anti-Racism Resources

From UW Student Well-Being

Resources for UW's Global Community

Offices and Cultural Centers at UW

Center for International Relations and Cultural Leadership Exchange is the UW’s primary portal to resources, community and activities that help international and domestic students maximize their Husky Experience, together.

Intellectual House (wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ) provides a multi-service learning and gathering space for American Indian and Alaska Native students, faculty and staff, as well as others from various cultures and communities to come together in a welcoming environment to share knowledge.

Office of Healthcare Equity at UW Medicine believes that healthcare is a fundamental human right and everyone should have the same access and opportunities for the best possible outcomes. They are committed to transforming the way care is provided to eliminate inequities.

Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity creates pathways for diverse populations to access postsecondary opportunities, nurture and support their academic success, and cultivate a campus climate that enriches the educational experience for all.

Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center values diversity, equity, and inclusion of all communities, including underrepresented and first-generation students of color.

LGBTQIA Resources

Gender Affirming Care at UW reflects the commitment of campus health providers to respect, affirm, and support individual’s lived experiences.

Gender Neutral Restrooms at UW | This list of gender-neutral restrooms on the Seattle campus is provided in collaboration with the UW Labor Relations.

Q Center has served LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty for almost 20 years. They exist to foster a brave, affirming, and inclusive community where everyone’s gender and sexual identities are celebrated.

Title IX Reporting | The university is committed to providing ways for all community members to report discrimination, harassment, and violence based on sex, gender, pregnancy status, and LGBTQ+ identity.

Transgender Resources

For Allies

Immigration Resources

We are proud to be a university that wholeheartedly welcomes and supports undocumented students of all ethnicities and nationalities. We invite you to explore the services, opportunities and resources available to you throughout the various stages of your Husky Experience.

UW Allies

You Have UW Allies!

The UW Allies program serves faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars in basic science labs at UW.

Allies are faculty volunteers who provide support during conflict with mentors and lab mates, assistance in navigating institutional barriers to success, and connection with institutional and community services.

UW Allies

Meet Andrés Barría

Neurobiology and biophysics professor Andrés Barría has been named the first Assistant Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in Research and Graduate Education for the School of Medicine. Andrés has worked to push social justice initiatives since he came to the UW in 2005. He was a member of the UW Faculty Council on Race, Equity, and Justice and was a co-chair and founder of the School of Medicine’s Biomedical Research EDIT committees.

His work as Assistant Dean will develop and support relationships between the Office of Health Care Equity (OHCE) and biomedical research departments, as well as working on initiatives across the school.