The Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation was founded on the idea that design is for everyone. While our home is in the College of Engineering, Jacobs is a multidisciplinary space, open to all regardless of their background, department affiliation, or experience level. We believe that everyone who walks through our doors adds to the unique conversation about the possibility of design and technology, helping enrich the future of both and that pivotal design can only stem from a collaboration of diverse voices and perspectives.
As an Institute that is part of a larger campus community dedicated to bringing together some of the most forward-thinking minds in academia, it is of the utmost importance that all who participate in our space feel not just included and safe, but know their ideas and voices will be upheld and supported by the Jacobs Community. Our staff and faculty are dedicated to upholding these principles and know it is their personal responsibility, as well as the Institute’s, to continuously educate themselves on racism, anti-blackness, gender inequality, ableism, and other forms of discrimination, and to work towards creating a space where all feel validated and welcome. We also acknowledge our responsibility for fostering an educational environment and culture that holds our students accountable to these same standards, and are continuing to open up opportunities for students and club leaders to share feedback on the ways Jacobs can continue to foster positive group participation.
We recognize this as an ongoing process—one that requires frequent and critical dialogue on the many ways we can improve diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the Jacobs Institute’s community and operations.
INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would also like to recognize, in solidarity with the messaging from campus, co-authored with the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and Native American Student Development, that the Jacobs Institute sits on the territory of xučyun (Huichin), the ancestral and unceded land of the Chocenyo speaking Ohlone people.
DESIGN FOR ALL WORKING GROUP
In Spring 2024, the Jacobs Institute DEI Committee (est. 2019) was reorganized as the Jacobs Design For All Working Group to include student representation from the Jacobs Institute Student Advisory Board and the Berkeley MDes Student Association. The Working Group’s charge is to monitor and improve diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Institute’s community, programs, and operations, in collaboration with our community of students, staff, and faculty.
The Working Group meets monthly, and it’s current membership includes:
PROGRAMS AND POLICY UPDATES
ONGOING GOALS
READING LIBRARY
Here is an ongoing list of articles, books, and podcasts centered around diversity, equity, and inclusion in design.
Articles, blog posts, and programming authored at Jacobs:
Here are some fast-facts about the student diversity at Jacobs Hall, based on the student enrollment in our DES INV courses and the number of Maker Pass holders and JPS users:
| Design Courses (DES INV) & DeCals | JPS & Maker Pass Users |
| 674 students in DES INV courses and DeCals | 892 JPS & Maker Pass users |
| 63% identify as women | 39% identify as women |
| 3% are Black | 3% are Black |
| 11% are Chicanx + Latinx | 16% are Chicanx + Latinx |
| 21% are International Students | 18% are International Students |
| Disciplinary Diversity: 27% from Engineering 50% from Letters & Sciences 3% from Environmental Design 20% Other |
Disciplinary Diversity: 67% from Engineering 9% from Letters & Sciences 8% from Environmental Design 16% Other |
For comparison, please consult the data from UC Berkeley and the College of Engineering.
If you would like to provide feedback about the ways we can continue to make Jacobs an inclusive environment, or if you’d like to share a personal experience, please use this form. All submitted comments are reviewed by the Jacobs Design For All Committee. The form is anonymous except if someone chooses to leave their contact information.