Trainee Advocacy Alliance

Who is the Trainee Advocacy Alliance (TAA)?TAA Logo

TAA is a collaborative group of Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS) graduate students, Biomedical Postdoctoral Program (BPP) post-docs, and Penn faculty members from across the University who are committed to creating, nurturing, and maintaining a Penn biomedical research community that embodies inclusivity, diversity, and equity. With the full support and access to resources within IDEAL Research, TAA will provide trainee support for members of the Penn Medicine research training community especially those from under-resourced backgrounds and identities that are historically underrepresented in the biomedical sciences.

All TAA members complete trainings in restorative justice, inclusive mentorship, and mental health intervention to ensure that individuals from all identities are embraced and advocated for within biomedical research.

You can always reach out to TAA@pennmedicine.upenn.edu with any questions.

Who can use TAA as a resource?

TAA is a resource for trainees facing adversity within the biomedical research community - especially those from under-resourced or historically underrepresented backgrounds experiencing racial, gender, disability, or other identity-based discrimination.

Trainees Include

  • Graduate Students
  • Post-Bacs
  • Post-Docs
  • Medical Students
  • Master's Students
  • Research Technicians
  • Undergraduate Student Interns
  • High School Student Interns
  • Any other individuals working under an advisor

TAA Services

  • Providing a supportive environment to discuss experiences
  • Confidential counseling and guidance
  • Role playing conversations
  • Email reviews
  • Navigation and referral to official Penn resources
  • Mediation services
  • Direct intervention
  • Assistance in filing an official complaint – incident reporting

Want to know more about TAA?

  • View the TAA Handbook

  • Follow us on Social Media

  • Reach out to us

    • Email a member from the TAA Leadership Team

  • Attend our events

    • Keep an eye out for dates announced on TAA social media and BGS bulletins!

  • Want to become a TAA member?

View List of TAA Members