Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity & Inclusion Mission Statement

The Department of Anthropology at the University of Arkansas is committed to understanding and valuing the range of human cultural and biological diversity. Each individual’s perspectives and identities are diverse and are informed by factors including (but not limited to) culture, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexuality, age, socioeconomic status, religion, and abilities.

We are dedicated to promoting and sustaining equity in all arenas of scholarship and university life. Fostering an inclusive environment is critical to robust and vibrant intellectual exchange. We affirm the importance of sharing and talking about experiences of difference across academic communities. We strive to ensure that each member of the student body, staff, and faculty can participate equitably in the University community irrespective of difference; every individual shares this responsibility.  

As an anthropology program, we are committed to our students and to an ethical academic life, which encompasses all university-sanctioned activities both on and off campus. We adopt the statements of the American Anthropological Association, the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, and the Society for American Archaeology on professional ethics, race, and sexual discrimination and conduct.

The Department has established a Committee on Diversity and Inclusion whose mission and objectives are to cultivate departmental inclusion and diversity, including:

• disseminate pertinent Department, University, and professional policies and resources
• suggest departmental policies to attract and retain diverse students and faculty
• recommend best practices that promote pluralism and inclusion in our learning environments
• sponsor regular activities and opportunities to discuss issues related to inclusion and diversity
• liaise with related units on campus