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Our Community

Salk Culture

Salk Institute for Biological Studies - Our Community - Salk Culture

Salk Culture

Jonas Salk believed that if we worked together to nourish everyone’s talents, society would thrive. A welcoming culture fosters free exploration in research and scientific approaches and a collaborative, harmonious working environment. At Salk, we strive to foster a sense of belonging on campus through our shared values: integrity, community, accountability, respect, and empowerment. The Office of Community & Engagement provides leadership and support, and collaborates with faculty, trainees, and staff to advance these efforts.

SPARC

Established in 2020, the Salk Perspectives and Resources Council (SPARC) works with the Office of Community & Engagement to support Salk’s advocacy-centered efforts. This significant collaboration provides insight and recommendations that support community and engagement at Salk.

The group’s meetings are open to the entire Salk community. All are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Affinity Groups

Salk supports affinity groups as a resource for trainees and employees. The Office of Community & Engagement team is actively invested in the success of our affinity group network, which launched in 2020. These groups aim to enhance employee well-being, strengthen Salk culture, and offer a platform for advocating for the interests of a particular group as a means of enhancing community and engagement at the Institute.

Engagement & Wellbeing

The Salk Engagement & Wellbeing initiative aims to increase meaningful interactions across the Salk community. A network of ambassadors identifies and champions a broad range of opportunities to bring together members of our scientific population and those who support research through their operational expertise.

Salk Discussion Circle

The Discussion Circle is a quarterly event where interested members of the Salk community come together, select materials, and share ideas and opinions in a space free of judgment. The books and films discussed span a variety of genres, all connected by the common thread of encouraging thoughtful consideration of an array of subjects and themes.

Science & Justice

This public series is a platform for audiences to learn about connections between Salk’s research and issues related to justice that face communities, our nation, and the world. Speakers engage in moderated discussions, based on their respective areas of expertise, and collaborations that explore how modern scientific understandings can help us support social justice.

  • May 25, 2023
    Salk Professor Thomas Albright and Peter Neufeld, co-founder and co-director of The Innocence Project
    View the recording.
  • June 11, 2024
    Salk Assistant Professor Dmitry Lyumkis and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria
    View the recording.

SACNAS Professional Chapter

Salk is among the few independent research institutes that maintain a professional chapter of SACNAS, the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in the Sciences. This group engages and supports membership in the national organization and on a local level raises awareness of barriers and solutions relevant to the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans—from early education to professional levels—in STEM. Their goal is to foster networking, advocate for Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans at Salk, build community relationships, and strengthen the STEM pipeline for all scientists at every stage of their career.

Salk Women & Science

Salk Women & Science engages women in the community with leaders in biological science and technology. The program provides a dynamic and vibrant forum in which community and business leaders gather with Salk’s women of science as friends, entrepreneurs and researchers to discuss the latest discoveries in science and technology while inspiring more women to embrace scientific research as a focus of personal and philanthropic interest.