The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion has announced 12 teams as recipients of Harvard University Cultural Institute Innovation Fund grants for the 2023-24 academic year. Since its launch in 2019, HCLIF has invested $250,000 annually to fund initiatives, research, and resources that advance inclusion, belonging, and engagement across the Harvard University community.
“HCLIF partners with members of the university community to lead and innovate in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging,” said Shelley Charleston, Harvard University’s chief diversity and inclusion officer. Ta. “These grants support the work of faculty, students, and researchers from diverse backgrounds and belief systems across campus who work together to achieve a common goal of building community. ”
This year’s award recipients include community members from across Harvard’s schools and units who will receive the first grant to work as a team to address important issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and solidarity. Meets the gold requirements.
“We hope each project helps foster a sense of belonging for all in our community.”
Hana Omiya HCLIF Project Director
Award recipients include the Neurodiversity Project, an initiative focused on making Harvard a more neurodiversity-friendly space by promoting awareness and understanding of the diversity of the human mind. The project’s affinity groups aim to foster inclusive excellence and a sense of belonging through connections centered around neurodiversity through monthly meetings, open dialogue, and events. Led by Walid Yassin, Lecturer at Harvard Medical School, and in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences’ Academic Resource Center, the project aims to foster inclusivity and a sense of belonging in relation to the diversity of the human spirit. “We aim to make the university a space for people,” Yassin said. Everyone can develop their unique strengths. ”
At the Kennedy School, this year’s other recipient, Harvard University, is leading Unraveling Accent Bias with researcher Tyler Pugeda and a team from multiple schools. This project draws attention to the challenges faced by people who experience accent bias. “We found that people care deeply about expressing their unique voice, but struggle with self-consciousness and fear due to stereotypes about how to speak,” Pugeda says. “The way we speak is a true reflection of our life journeys, so we are committed to the Harvard community, and ultimately to society, by embracing diverse ways of speaking, rejecting stereotypes, and making language more accessible. We are creating a unique opportunity to foster an open and respectful dialogue about recognizing talent beyond.”
Funded by the Office of the President, grants range from $5,000 to $25,000. Proposals undergo his two-stage review and are scored based on their alignment with the priorities outlined in the report of the Presidential Task Force on Inclusion and Belonging and his OEDIB strategic objectives.
“The winning proposal effectively answers essential questions about how we can maintain an inclusive and equitable culture at Harvard University,” said OEDIB Assistant Director of Administration and Operations and HCLIF Project Director. Hana Omiya said. “We hope each project helps foster a sense of belonging for all in our community.”
2023-24 HCLIF Award Winners
Beyond accessan event celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, featuring artists, dancers and creators from around the world.
Comprehensive anatomical imaging collaborative project Correcting exclusionary bias in medical education by creating images of all bodies.
First Generation Low Income Person Visibility Weeka second-year recipient, strengthens the identity of students who are the first in their families to earn a degree in U.S. higher education.
greenhousea bi-weekly healing sanctuary centered around Black, Indigenous, and people of color, where all members compost grief and let healing sprout.
history design studiothe rebirth of the digital studio that develops innovative storytelling methods at the Hutchins Center for African and African American Studies.
Inclusive Education Research Institutea second-year recipient, hosts instructor-to-instructor learning fellowships and develops publications to share inclusive teaching practices.
Lighting for different skin tonesa university-wide workshop for media producers and photographers, where any skin tone can be professionally lightened.
Multicultural Staff, Teachers, and Researchers Associationa place where employees from different cultural backgrounds can participate in international EDIB events.
Neurodiversity projectanother second-year recipient, celebrates the spectrum of the human mind by supporting Harvard University’s neurodivergent community.
Nunch healtha free mental health program for students interested in breaking down barriers and improving well-being centered around immigrant origins and international experiences.
redefinition [In]visibilitya project that invests in technology and tools that make dorm life more accessible for students with visual impairments.
Revealing accent bias at Harvard Universitya video series effort to uncover the prevalence of accent bias and its impact on recruitment, retention, and social mobility.
Application for 2024-2025 Harvard University Cultural Institute Innovation Fund The grant is currently available to Harvard students and employees with ideas that promote a sense of belonging on campus, and the deadline is March 29. To learn more about the fund and apply, join us at our next event. virtual open house On March 6 at 11 a.m., Harvard community members interested in serving as judges for 2024-2025 HCLIF grant applications can sign up. online.