The Black Postdoctoral Association (BPDA) is a voluntary organization run by postdoctoral scholars at UAB that advocates for the professional and social well-being of postdocs. Open to all postdoctoral scholars at UAB, the BPDA is focused on recognizing the contributions and needs of historically marginalized communities in academic research and medicine and, thus, has been at the forefront of advocating for postdoctoral education by cultivating spaces of community and collaboration.
The BPDA's two main goals emphasize a scholar’s growth personally and professionally as well as sense of belonging:
Empower: To empower those who come from historically marginalized communities as well as their allies by providing programming available to all members that focuses on career development, physical and mental health growth, and academic scholarship.
Engagement: To engage the UAB and local Birmingham community through service and mentorship, thereby fostering collaboration, understanding, and mutual support among diverse groups.
Open to all postdoctoral scholars at UAB, we welcome and encourage you to join! For more information, please email us at