Addressing Bias, Bigotry, and Discrimination at UC Davis Speaker Series
Background
Heightened tensions stemming from the conflict in the middle east have led to hate crimes and discriminatory incidents on campuses nationwide. Compounding these tragic events are the political climate and resultant silencing of discourse. This has impacted our faculty, staff, and students, who have a need to collectively process these events. This Grand Rounds series hosted by the Department of Internal Medicine hopes to establish a safe forum where perspectives can be expressed and shared with thoughtful exchange of ideas. Nationally renowned experts and speakers in their respective fields have been invited to deliver this series.
Important note: This Grand Rounds speaker series is funded through a grant, that was awarded to the Department of Internal Medicine, to address and combat antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias, bigotry, and discrimination. The views expressed within the series are those of the presenter(s). The views expressed by the presenter(s) are not intended to speak on behalf of an entire community nor are they intended to represent the views of an entire community at large. This series does not imply that UC Davis Health endorses the views expressed.
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Learning Outcomes
- Participants will demonstrate increased knowledge on the background and historical context of the current Middle East conflict.
- Participants will be able to express the moral and ethical dilemmas that comprise the current tactical strategies around the conflict.
- Participants will apply techniques to help process traumatic events.
- Participants will demonstrate increased knowledge around structural racism, and bigotry with specific techniques to address antisemitism, Islamophobia, and racism.
Speaker Schedule
Understanding Antisemitism as a Form of Hate: Addressing Bias, Bigotry, and Discrimination at UC Davis
Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025.
Time: 12-1 p.m. (In-person and virtual) followed by a small group session from 2-3 p.m. (In-person only).
Location: UC Davis Medical Center, Education Building 4610 X St, Sacramento, CA. Room details will be shared with in-person attendees via email closer to the event.
Don’t miss this critical conversation! Register today.
Featured Speaker: Kenneth Stern Director, Bard Center for the Study of Hate – Human Rights Project at Bard College.
Kenneth Stern will explore:
- The nature of antisemitism and its implications.
- How the interdisciplinary field of hate studies enhances our understanding.
- Whether antizionism constitutes antisemitism.
- The role of emotional empathy, intellectual curiosity, academic freedom, and free speech in addressing hate.
Following the main session, an in-person only small group discussion will provide an opportunity to delve deeper into these topics.
Addressing Islamophobia in the context of Muslim Mental Health
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Time: 12-1 p.m. (In-person and virtual) followed by a small group session from 2-3 p.m. (In-person only).
Location: UC Davis Medical Center, Education Building 4610 X St, Sacramento, CA. Room details will be shared with in-person attendees via email closer to the event.
Don’t miss this critical conversation! Register today.
Featured Speaker: Rania Awaad, M.D.
More information
Islam is the third-largest religion in the United States, encompassing 3.45 million Muslim Americans. Despite this, anti-muslim sentiments have become increasingly prevalent, contributing to challenges faced by Muslim communities. Historically, Muslims have been subjected to systemic Islamophobia, which negatively impacts patient outcomes, mental health, social interactions, and even institutional policies (Samari, 2016). This workshop aims to explore the intersection of Islamophobia and mental health, focusing on how systemic injustices, media portrayals, and political conflicts influence Muslim populations. Clinicians will learn about the global context of Islamophobia and its impact on mental health services and humanitarian aid, especially in regions like Gaza. The goal is to equip clinicians with the knowledge and framework to better address the unique needs of their Muslim patients. Rania Awaad, M.D., will cover practical strategies and resources for providing culturally sensitive mental health support and combating media bias.
When Criticism Becomes Hateful: Defining Antisemitism
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Time: 12-1 p.m. (In-person and virtual) followed by a small group session from 2-3 p.m. (In-person only).
Location: UC Davis Medical Center, Education Building 4610 X St, Sacramento, CA. Room details will be shared with in-person attendees via email closer to the event.
Don’t miss this critical conversation! Register today.
Featured Speaker: Derek Penslar
Derek Penslar is the William Lee Frost Professor of Jewish History and the Director of Harvard University’s Center for Jewish Studies. He studies modern Jewish history through a comparative and transnational lens. Professor Penslar examines the intersections of Jewish history with broader themes such as modern nationalism, capitalism, and colonialism, providing a unique and global perspective on the subject.
Caste
Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025.
Time: 12-1 p.m.
Location: Virtual.
Don’t miss this critical conversation! Register today.
Featured Speaker: Isabel Wilkerson
Isabel Wilkerson, a Pulitzer Prize winner and recipient of the National Humanities Medal, is the acclaimed author of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. In this groundbreaking book, she provides a profound analysis of America’s deeply entrenched social hierarchies, drawing insightful comparisons to caste systems in India and Nazi Germany.
Healthcare Discrepancies in Communities
Date: Thursday, July 10, 2025.
Time: 12-1 p.m. (In-person and virtual) followed by a small group session from 2-3 p.m. (In-person only).
Location: UC Davis Medical Center, Education Building 4610 X St, Sacramento, CA. Room details will be shared with in-person attendees via email closer to the event.
Don’t miss this critical conversation! Register today.
Featured Speaker: Philip M. Alberti, Ph.D.
Philip M. Alberti, Ph.D. is the Founding Director of the Center for Health Justice at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). His work focuses on advancing community-driven, multisector initiatives that build evidence for effective programs, policies, practices, and partnerships aimed at eliminating health inequities.
Refugee and Immigration Health
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025.
Time: 12-1 p.m. (In-person and virtual) followed by a small group session from 2-3 p.m. (In-person only).
Location: UC Davis Medical Center, Education Building 4610 X St, Sacramento, CA. Room details will be shared with in-person attendees via email closer to the event.
Don’t miss this critical conversation! Register today.
Featured Speakers: Farah Shaheen, M.D. and Sharad Jain, M.D.
The UC Davis Human Rights Initiative (UCD HRI) provides forensic documentation of the physical and psychological manifestations of ill-treatment, torture, and trauma experienced by individuals applying for asylum and safety in the United States. The organization was founded in 2020, through the direction of Farah Shaheen, M.D., and Sharad Jain, M.D., in collaboration with medical students, residents, and attorneys.
War Crimes and Accountability
Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025.
Time: 12-1 p.m. (In-person and virtual) followed by a small group session from 2-3 p.m. (In-person only).
Location: UC Davis Medical Center, Education Building 4610 X St, Sacramento, CA. Room details will be shared with in-person attendees via email closer to the event.
Don’t miss this critical conversation! Register today.
Featured Speaker: Jamil Dakwar
Jamil Dakwar is the Director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Human Rights Program (HRP) which is dedicated to holding the U.S. government accountable to its international human rights obligations and commitments. HRP conducts human rights research, documentation, and public education, as well as engages in litigation and advocacy before U.S. courts and international human rights bodies.
Questions?
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