Image credit to Smith Lab @ University of Notre Dame

Image credit to Smith Lab @ University of Notre Dame

 

Inclusivity Statement, Action Plan, and Resources

We are committed to creation and maintenance of an equitable environment in our lab, our Institution, and our University. We oppose racism and hate through allyship, continuous unlearning, learning and listening. We believe in excellence in science, respect of people, and rigor of values.

OUR BELIEFS:

  • we believe institutionalized racism, sexism, and lack of support for people from under represented minorities (URMs) exists. This is unacceptable, and understanding the failures of the past provides us with an opportunity for improvement moving forward

  • we believe that our ability to make breakthroughs in science is dependent on coming together. We believe that people from diverse backgrounds (race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, different physical abilities) with diverse perspectives and insights are integral to achieve this. 

  • we believe in inclusivity in science and fostering an environment that is inclusive of all URMs in STEM: women, people of color, people are differently abled, immigrants, and all members of LGBTQI communities

OUR PLEDGE:

  • we pledge to develop and foster a lab environment that provides support for diversity 

  • we pledge to discuss these issues, and those of implicit bias, at our weekly lab meetings

  • we pledge to hold ourselves, and our institution, accountable for implementation of practices to promote the recruitment, outreach, and advocacy of URMs

Recruitment

  • we pledge to implement better hiring practices to ensure we recruit from a more diverse population for all positions in the laboratory

  • we pledge to create and maintain a safe space for all lab members so we can achieve this goal

Outreach

  • Shane pledges to give talks at Universities, Colleges, and High Schools that are diverse in their student population

  • we pledge to actively contribute to, and be advocates for, outreach activities at NYU and in NYC - e.g. NOGN, NYUrWiS, SCAAN

Advocacy

  • we pledge to provide equal opportunities to all lab members, this includes publicly crediting all members of the team involved in each project. In particular we will provide opportunities for URMs and trainees to present at national and international meetings

  • we pledge to promote the science of researchers who are from URM backgrounds and who are differently abled in our institute seminar series, journal club, and when organizing meetings

Education

  • we pledge to continue to educate ourselves about issues that face our URM colleagues and members of the community

  • we pledge to continue our own education, discussion of, and learning about issues inherent in academia including implicit bias, racism, and sexism

RESOURCES:

Useful resources to learn more or to read for continued education

Diversity resources

  • Making Room for Diverse Populations in STEM - a fantastic set of resources complied by the team at Discover Data Science.

  • The autobiography of a transgendered scientist, Ben Barres (PDF version without forward by Nancy Hopkins available as a free PDF here)

  • The ALBA Network - towards diversity and equity in brain sciences (read the declaration here)

  • prideinstem.org - useful Links About LGBT+ people in STEM

  • Seminar/meeting resources - to address gender bias (Anne’s List), and people of color (blackinneuro, blackinimmuno)

  • Project Implicit - online implicit bias testing

  • Coding resources for women at every stage of their career (from our friends up at Columbia Engineering)

  • Women in STEM Resource list from the amazing Sarah Rugheimer

  • CIMER (Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research) - excellent resource materials for mentors and mentees (including online training courses and virtual mentoring programs)

Mental health resources

NYU specific resources * (some links below require NYU login)

  • Women’s Intensive Leadership Development Program (WILD) - centers the fundamental principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental conservation

  • Neuroscience Outreach Group at NYU (NOGN)

  • NYU are Women in STEM (@NYUrWIS) - provides resources and support for women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at NYU Langone Medical Center

  • Scientist Action and Advocacy Network (SCAAN) -  a New York-based group of scientists who partner with organizations that are creating positive social change

  • Neuroscience Institute Diverse Neuroscientists Doctoral Training Series (DeNDriTes)

  • NYU Neuroscience Institute Diversity page (under construction)

  • Growing up in Science - lists global online events (free and open to anyone) as well as open online events by local GUIS chapters

  • NYU Langone Ombuds Program - a neutral, confidential, and informal resource to help faculty, house staff, postdoctoral fellows, and students address and resolve workplace conflicts

  • Counseling Services - available to all employees, faculty, students, house staff, and fellows of NYU Langone Health. Includes Work-Life Assistance Program

  • Sexual Misconduct Policy

Resources for students

Resources for postdocs

Resources for staff