Diversity, Inclusion, & Access within Cornell EEB

Our Commitment

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is committed to building a scientific community where people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences can do their best work and feel they belong. We know that a broad range of perspectives strengthens our research, teaching, and department, and we take seriously the work of removing barriers that have historically kept parts of our field less accessible than it should be.

We strive to evaluate our own practices — how we recruit, teach, mentor, and support one another — and make changes where they're needed. We also value listening to graduate students, undergraduates, staff, postdocs, and faculty, and especially to those whose experiences have too often gone unheard in academic science. This is ongoing work, not a finished project, and we welcome feedback from anyone in our community on how we can do better.

Land Acknowledgement

Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫɁ (the Cayuga Nation). The Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫɁ are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York State, and the United States of America. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫɁ dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫɁ people, past and present, to these lands and waters.

This is Cornell's official land acknowledgement, developed with the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program (AIISP) and endorsed by Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫɁ leadership. Visit the AIISP website for a pronunciation guide and further background.

A Safe and Supportive Community

EEB is committed to a safe, respectful, and collaborative environment for every student, faculty member, and staff member. That environment is what makes open scientific discourse possible, and it is central to who we are as a department.

Harassment, discrimination, and bias undermine our research, teaching, and community, and anyone can be affected by them. If you witness or experience sexual harassment, discrimination, or bias, we encourage you to reach out for support through our Chair, Director of Graduate Studies, Director of Undergraduate Studies, the Title IX Office, or other Cornell resources. Confidential reporting options are also available — see Cornell's confidential resources. Cornell faculty, staff, and student employees generally have a duty to report incidents they learn of to the Title IX coordinator.

Prospective Graduate Students

EEB's commitment to diversity, access, and inclusion includes the recruitment of graduate students. We welcome students from all backgrounds to apply to our graduate program, including those from communities historically underrepresented in ecology and evolutionary biology.

Learn more about our program, admissions, and funding on the EEB Graduate Program page.

For resources on graduate admissions, funding, and community specifically focused on access and inclusion, visit the Cornell Graduate School's Inclusion & Access pages.

Have questions or want to connect with us before applying? Fill out the Graduate School's general inquiry form to be added to their mailing list and ask about specific opportunities in EEB.

Resources at Cornell:

Recent publications from authors in EEB at Cornell related to inclusion, access, and diversity in science:

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