Championing diversity for the good of all is at the heart of Grand Challenges.
Global problems that harm under-represented populations in disproportionate ways have often begun or been exacerbated by excluding viewpoints essential to holistic solutions. Grand Challenges expands the lens through which the world views critical issues and makes connections across multiple boundaries.
Grand Challenges uses our big-picture perspective and grassroots application to advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We accomplish this work by seeking diverse perspectives, building inclusive networks, and developing spaces where all people and disciplines may collaborate to develop tangible, equitable outputs to address the world’s foremost concerns.
Our commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion work includes the following actions:
- Critically examining Grand Challenges focus areas through an equity lens to better understand their unjust impacts on diverse populations. Grand Challenges relies on experts and representatives from diverse groups to help us serve and connect people, provide a platform for advocacy, and establish best practices.
- Conducting internal reviews while planning strategic convenings to ensure demographic and disciplinary representation among invitees and speakers.
- The Grand Challenges Solutions Hub is being designed as an intentional, adaptive space that will provide a platform for transdisciplinary team research and equitable engagement with a focus on environmental sustainability, inclusivity, and accessibility.
- Ensuring Grand Challenges staff are meeting or exceeding all metrics related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion as outlined in the UC Davis Principles of Community.
Grand Challenges is committed to growing and learning, and we will continue to be responsive to diverse communities as we champion holistic, inclusive approaches to address the most pressing problems of our time.
