The Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offers education topics designed to provide the campus community with a greater understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion, and its importance as a core value here at UAB.
The online module, Awareness @ UAB, provides a framework for understanding basic diversity concepts for all employees at UAB. Awareness @UAB is the first of the five-part ODEI Building Blocks Learning Plan designed to explore the impact of identities in workplace interactions and relationships and provide strategies for improving our practices and culture. Although it is not required, completing the online video Awareness @ UAB is encouraged before registering for other courses in the Building Blocks Learning Plan.
Five core courses are currently offered in the ODEI Building Blocks Learning Plan: 1) Awareness @ UAB online video; 2) Cultural Awareness Building Blocks; 3) Unconscious Bias; 4) SafeZone; and 5) Bystander Intervention. Participants who attend all five sessions are eligible to receive a DEI Certificate. Certificate holders who may be interested in volunteering as DEI Facilitators will be able to participate in Diversity Education Facilitator training (DEFT). Faculty who have completed the classes through the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) are also eligible to attend the facilitation training.
In Fall 2021, we created a new Learning Plan to include courses that are designed to build on the foundational knowledge offered in the five courses mentioned above. This new plan is called “Beyond Building Blocks Learning Plan,” and includes the Inclusive Language course and the Faculty Search Committee course. The Building Blocks Learning Plan must be completed to register for the Inclusive Language course.
Beginning in September 2023, ODEI will offer in-person, instructor-led courses. During this month, in-person courses will include one Cultural Awareness Building Blocks and one Unconscious Bias course. Cultural Awareness Building Blocks will also be offered once a month as a webinar via Zoom Meeting. SafeZone, Bystander Intervention, and the Beyond Building Blocks Learning Plan will be offered in-person beginning in October and November of 2023.
Available dates and registration for these courses are accessible through Campus LMS.
Registration is required to attend and you will receive a confirmation email from Campus LMS. Registration helps us assess interest in the Diversity Education curriculum and to apply individual credit for the course.
As always, thank you for your commitment to inclusive excellence. Should you have any questions or concerns related to Diversity Education, please email
The course series consist of:
Cultural Awareness Building Blocks - Introduction Video
The twenty-minute online video completed prior to registering for other ODEI classes is available in the LMS and can be accessed at any time.
Cultural Awareness Building Blocks
Cultural Awareness Building Blocks provides the framework for gaining a nuanced understanding of the various meanings and the potential impact of, diversity in higher education and the workplace. The session explores the impact of identities in workplace interactions and relationships, and presents strategies and resources to better navigate and embrace cultural difference. Cultural Awareness Building Blocks is the foundational session in in the series of four classes required to achieve the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate, and/or the faculty CTL Global Awareness Certificate. Participants will:
- Increase their understanding of cultural awareness and how it applies to their work and personal interactions.
- Become familiar with key concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Learn strategies and resources that contribute to an inclusive and welcoming environment.
You cannot register for sessions through the ODEI website. To register for Diversity Education sessions you must visit the new Campus Learning System. Attendance can be limited so please register early. If you would like to attend a class that appears to be full, please contact the Diversity Education Director for special admission into the class.
Unconscious Bias
Bias is a "personal, sometimes unreasoned judgement" that can provide unconscious and often erroneous information. Understanding how our personal and cultural biases influence our decision-making and interpersonal interactions is an important step to reducing unconscious bias. Unconscious Bias is the second in the series of four classes required to achieve the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate, or the faculty CTL Global Awareness Certificate. Participants will:
- Increase their understanding of unconscious biases and its presence in professional and personal behaviors and interactions.
- Become familiar with common types of personal, cultural and social bias.
- Learn about promising practices that reduce bias and contribute to an inclusive and welcoming environment.
You cannot register for sessions through the ODEI website. To register for Diversity Education sessions you must visit the new Campus Learning System. Attendance can be limited so please register early. If you would like to attend a class that appears to be full, please contact the Diversity Education Director for special admission into the class.
Safe Zone Training
The SafeZone program offers LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning) awareness training is designed for all UAB faculty and staff. This two-hour session provides an opportunity to learn about identities, terminology, concepts of gender and sexuality, and ways to create a welcoming and inclusive campus. Participants will also be able to sign up to receive a SafeZone trained sticker to communicate their LGBTQ friendliness, although this is not a requirement of the session. SafeZone is third in the series of four classes required to achieve the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate, and/or the faculty CTL Global Awareness Certificate. Participants will:
- Increase their understanding of issues and concerns experienced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning faculty, staff and students.
- Become familiar with current LGBTQ concepts and terminology.
- Acquire access to reliable resources and accurate information that contribute to safer, more inclusive learning and work environments.
You cannot register for sessions through the ODEI website. To register for Diversity Education sessions you must visit the new Campus Learning System. Attendance can be limited so please register early. If you would like to attend a class that appears to be full, please contact the Diversity Education Director for special admission into the class.
Bystander Intervention
Bystander behavior has been the focus of social psychological research for over four decades. Originally developed to reduce the incidence of sexual assault and sexual violence on college campuses, the bystander model is now also used for noticing and intervening with harassing behaviors related to bullying and discrimination of all kinds. Bystander Intervention is the fourth in the series of four classes required to achieve the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate, and/or the faculty CTL Global Awareness Certificate. Participants will:
- Increase their understanding of common types of microaggressions, bullying and harassment.
- Become familiar with the widely accepted steps to action model for bystander interventions.
- Learn about types of intervention and explore potential barriers to action.
You cannot register for sessions through the ODEI website. To register for Diversity Education sessions you must visit the new Campus Learning System. Attendance can be limited so please register early. If you would like to attend a class that appears to be full, please contact the Diversity Education Director for special admission into the class.
Beyond Building Blocks Learning Plan:
Inclusive Langauge
The practice of being mindful and intentional in our written and oral communication is the foundation of bridging gaps between culture and identity and fostering respectful and civil relationships. Using language that demonstrates cultural humility and inclusive excellence is accessible for us all and instrumental in the realization of our shared value: Diversity and Inclusiveness. Participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective usage of inclusive language when communicating verbally to and about marginalized and subordinated identities/populations/communities.
- Demonstrate effective usage of inclusive language in written form when communicating to and about marginalize and subordinated identities/populations/communities.
- Understand the importance of using compassionate and conscientious language when talking to and about marginalized and subordinated persons/communities.
- Advocate for the use of inclusive language as it relates to their school/unit/department.
The Cultural Awareness Building Blocks, Unconscious Bias, SafeZone, and Bystander Intervention courses are prerequisites. You cannot register for sessions through the ODEI website. To register for Diversity Education sessions you must visit the new Campus Learning System. Attendance can be limited so please register early. If you would like to attend a class that appears to be full, please contact the Diversity Education Director for special admission into the class.
Faculty Search Committee Training
UAB is committed to pursuing intentionally the benefits of diversity in all employee positions, including faculty and administrator positions for which search committees are typically used. Recruiting outstanding faculty and administrators is essential for ensuring the university is productive, innovative, competitive, and successful in its mission to prepare the next generation of scholars and leaders in every field.
The Faculty Search Committee training engages participants in innovative and inclusive strategies designed to reduce unconscious and historical bias in every step of the hiring process from drafting the position description to screening references. The goal is to invite the participants to discuss best practices and innovative ways to recruit and hire the best faculty members for the UAB Enterprise.
After participating in this course, individuals will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective usage of inclusive language when communicating verbally to and about marginalized and subordinated identities/populations/communities.
- Demonstrate effective usage of inclusive language in written form when communicating to and about marginalize and subordinated identities/populations/communities.
- Understand the importance of using compassionate and conscientious language when talking to and about marginalized and subordinated persons/communities.
- Advocate for the use of inclusive language as it relates to their school/unit/department.