DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, BELONGING & ACCESSIBILITY AT POLICYLAB

At PolicyLab, fostering a work environment that values diversity and inclusivity is a core value. Our goal is to promote a culture that recognizes and appreciates differences in backgrounds and experiences, empowering individuals to contribute their unique voices. 

PolicyLab prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility in every aspect of our center. Recruiting and retaining a diverse group of team members is fundamental to our mission, and we have a commitment to hiring and engaging in partnerships that reflect the diverse communities we serve.  

We recognize that conducting impactful research requires a collaborative effort that is informed by many perspectives. We welcome innovative minds from individuals across race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and marital status, victim of domestic or sexual violence status, covered veteran status or other protected classifications. We believe that each employee brings a unique worldview that contributes to the high quality of patient care, research and education for which Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and PolicyLab are renowned.  

At PolicyLab, we honor ideas that contribute to making our workplace an inclusive environment for all. We strive to provide opportunities that allow the voices of each employee to be heard as this exemplifies our core belief in the power of diverse thinking to influence the policies, protocols and practices that define our workplace and improve the lives of children and families.  

Learn more about CHOP’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion here and discover how our efforts reflect CHOP Research Institute’s DEI Action Plan here.  

I'm proud to work at PolicyLab because this is a workplace that is committed to fostering an environment where every team member is valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. 

-Shaun Armstrong-Jenkins, Workforce Development Director 

WHAT WE ARE WE DOING  

Equitable Hiring Practices: We take a hard look at our patterns of hiring, retention, promotion, and leadership opportunities and create plans to address disparities we find. Click here to see our employment opportunities. 

Creating an Inclusive Workplace: We intentionally create space for cultural celebration and opportunities for team members to safely and confidentially engage in discourse to enhance inclusivity and equity in our working environment.

Professional Development: We organize learning and training opportunities for our team members to expand the viewpoints that inform our research, policy work and professional goals. 

VISIBILITY AND VOICE COMMITTEE 

PolicyLab’s Visibility and Voice Committee was established in 2021 for employees to have a safe and confidential place to uplift the voices of racial and ethnically diverse individuals while advancing equity, inclusion and cultural celebration. 

One area of focus for the Visibility and Voice Committee is raising awareness of public health research among students and communities. We’re proud to promote various science and research careers and develop community collaborations to create opportunities for mentorships, job shadowing, internships and employment. 

This initiative provides our team members with opportunities for professional development, further engagement within our center and participation in leadership roles. 

Image

Learn about the Visibility and Voice Committee's recent events designed to introduce underrepresented minority students to exciting career opportunities in the world of public health research. 

• Undergraduate Student Research Day  
  Held annually, the Visibility and Voice Committee hosts undergraduate students for a day of networking and career exploration. In January 2024, 17 undergraduate students from seven universities joined us to learn about our research, participate in resume writing and interviewing workshops, and network with more than 30 PolicyLab team members. See photos from our January 2024 Research Day here.  
• Research Awareness Summit  
  We also bring local high school students together with our team to showcase the positive impacts research can have on our communities. In April 2024, we welcomed 15 students from Philadelphia High School for Girls to introduce them to exciting career opportunities in public health research. See photos from our April 2024 summit here.  
• Research Awareness Panel Discussions 
  The Visibility and Voice Committee engages with students virtually to share PolicyLab's research initiatives and the influential role research plays in shaping local policies. In the last year, we conducted two virtual research awareness panel discussions tailored for undergraduate and graduate students. These sessions provided a platform to share the significance of evidence-based research in affecting change within communities. Moreover, students interacted with our researchers, learning about the diverse educational backgrounds that have paved the way for careers as research assistants, research coordinators and project managers. 

The Visibility and Voice Committee’s initiatives generated multiple internship opportunities for students interested in public health research, communications and health policy. We are delighted that several students have chosen to continue their journey at CHOP by accepting full-time employment offers. 

Want to work with PolicyLab’s Visibility and Voice Committee?  

• Partner with us to welcome students into the world of health research careers through PolicyLab trainings and educational initiatives, like the opportunities mentioned above.  
• Share PolicyLab's employment opportunities with high schools, universities and community organizations to broaden our reach as we seek new team members. 

Contact us at PolicyLab@chop.edu.