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Keynote Topics
Racism haunts nearly every aspect of our society—but it doesn’t have to. Scientists since the 1950s have proven that humans cannot be classified into biological races.
Drawing on the last 70 years of scientific research and discovery, Terence explains all you need to know about why race is an illusion, why you are nearly identical to people who look different than you, and how understanding science can help us become anti-racist.
FROM HEART DISEASE TO POLICE PROFILING
Humans are not created by nature; we are made in the image of the societies we design. This is what director of the CDC meant when she recently declared that structural racism is a public health issue.
If we continue to live in a world where practices like police profiling, residential segregation, and industrial contamination unequally impact where people of color live then we should expect the consequences of these racist practices to appear in our bodies.
In this talk, Terence explains why our ability to live with dignity and health is not a matter of chance or fate, but is a result of planning and design. With rising health disparities in the U.S. and a healthcare system on the verge of collapse, the possibility of anyone living well is becoming increasingly unlikely.
Reflecting on cutting edge research within the field of public health, this talk gives you tools to understand how humans embody the society we inherit and how we can literally create health through more equitable designs.
HOW OUR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS SHAPE HOW WE TREAT THE OTHER
Is it possible that our religious beliefs are responsible for the racism and discrimination troubling our society today?
There is ample evidence to suggest this might be true: from Christian merchants who purchased Black people during the transatlantic slave trade, to the persecution of European Jews during the Holocaust, and the recent support of white evangelicals of the rioters who stormed the Capitol.
In this talk Terence takes an unflinching look at the religious past of Europe and America to help explain the sources of present-day social and political discrimination.
He explains that while our religious beliefs have clearly divided us there are resources within the traditions of American thought—from the work of Frederick Douglass to Octavia Butler—that can help us design better beliefs about the world and others within it.
Terence Keel is more than a professor; he is a trailblazer in the realms of academia and social justice. As a Full Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), he holds a prestigious split appointment in the Department of African American Studies and the UCLA Institute for Society and Genetics. With an unwavering […]
Terence Keel is more than a professor; he is a trailblazer in the realms of academia and social justice. As a Full Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), he holds a prestigious split appointment in the Department of African American Studies and the UCLA Institute for Society and Genetics. With an unwavering commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, Keel has carved out a unique space for himself as the Founding Director of the Lab for Bio Critical Studies.
This innovative laboratory serves as a hub for exploring the complex interplay between discrimination, inequality, and resilience as manifested within vulnerable communities. Through his groundbreaking research and engaging speaking engagements, Keel has emerged as a leading voice in navigating the intersections of race, genetics, and society.
Dr. Terence Keel is a recognized expert in race, social justice, and the biomedical sciences. His expertise is grounded in extensive research that examines the historical and contemporary roles race has played in shaping scientific practices.
His academic background includes a PhD in Religious Studies from Harvard University, where he explored the relationship between science, religion, and race in American society. He has published widely on topics related to the history of science and race, most notably in his critically acclaimed book Divine Variations: How Christian Thought Became Racial Science, which reveals how Christian theology influenced the development of racial categories in science. His research has been featured in numerous high-profile academic journals, and he has delivered keynote speeches at universities and conferences across the globe.
Keel’s work is particularly focused on how racial concepts are entrenched in biomedical sciences and healthcare. As a tenured professor at UCLA and founding director of the BioCritical Studies Lab, he leads critical inquiries into race and science, unveiling the ways these fields perpetuate inequalities. His influence extends beyond academia, with his research being used to inform public policy and shape anti-racism training programs for health professionals, making him a go-to authority on the subject of racism in science and medicine.
Dr. Terence Keel’s qualifications in the area of anti-racism stem from over a decade of scholarly research, teaching, and activism. His unique combination of theological training, historical scholarship, and focus on biomedical sciences equips him with a broad understanding of how racial ideologies have evolved and how they continue to impact society.
He has been an active academic for more than 15 years, during which time he has received numerous grants and awards to support his research. He regularly teaches courses at UCLA that challenge students to think critically about the intersection of race, science, and religion. This breadth of experience, along with his rigorous academic credentials, positions him as one of the most qualified and insightful voices on the subject today.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Terence Keel has extensive experience consulting for organizations in both the public and private sectors. He has worked with healthcare institutions, universities, and nonprofits to develop anti-racism initiatives that foster inclusivity and address structural inequalities. His ability to distill complex historical and social issues into practical solutions for contemporary problems has made him a valuable resource for organizations looking to implement meaningful change.
Terence Keel’s authority as a top anti-racism speaker is undisputed, backed by a substantial academic career and a strong record of public speaking engagements. His research has been cited by scholars and activists worldwide, and his ideas have shaped contemporary discussions on race and science.
Keel’s leadership role as the director of the BioCritical Studies Lab further underscores his authority in the field, where he spearheads cutting-edge research that reveals how racialized thinking persists in modern scientific practices. His work has received widespread recognition, positioning him as a leader in both academic and activist circles.
Moreover, Dr. Terence Keel’s authority is reinforced by his role as a public intellectual. He is a frequent speaker at major conferences, panels, and symposiums, where he addresses audiences ranging from university students to policymakers.
Dr. Terence Keel is a leading authority in the field of anti-racism, with a particular focus on how racial ideologies have influenced science and medicine. His interdisciplinary approach, combining history, science, and theology, sets him apart as an expert uniquely qualified to speak on these important issues. Dr. Keel’s work is not only academically rigorous but also practical, offering organizations actionable insights into how they can promote equity and dismantle systemic racism.
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