Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Within the Behavioral Neuroscience community, we recognize that our successes are driven by the unique perspectives and knowledge contributed by each of our members. We are committed to supporting, uplifting, and advocating for every voice in our community, as well as learning and adapting when we find areas in which we can improve our efforts.
The BN DEI Task Force has developed this page to facilitate access to resources and initiatives aimed to increase equity in our program and to better support our members that identify as being from traditionally underserved and/or marginalized sociocultural groups. While the information and resources listed on this page are not exhaustive, our goal is to organize pertinent materials to make them as accessible as possible.
Purpose
The Behavioral Neuroscience (BN) Code of Conduct serves to guide behavior in BN-related spaces to ensure that all individuals are included, valued, and supported. The Code of Conduct is an evolving guide for our current and future actions that, at its foundation, is a commitment to invite and value all voices, and to continue our personal and communal growth to ensure visibility of all individuals.
We seek to have space and respect for voices from all:
- Ages
- Abilities
- Educational Backgrounds
- Ethnicities
- Gender Expressions
- Marital and Parental Statuses
- Races
- Religious Affiliations
- Sexual Orientations
- Socioeconomic Statuses
- Veteran Statuses
And any other aspects of our humanity.
Values
Respect
We expect courteous and considerate communication, including during disagreement. Checking reactive responses, and refraining from using sensitive language or making disparaging comments.
Collaboration
We value varied perspectives and skillsets. We seek team-based approaches, cooperation despite disagreement, equity over equality, and compassion for all people.
Honesty
We seek to uphold the highest standards of integrity, both regarding research and interpersonal matters. To achieve this we hold paramount transparent and open communication.
Accountability
We accept responsibility to recognize our own blindspots and shortcomings. We seek to avoid being passive bystanders to misconduct, and provide safe avenues for reporting and guidance.
Growth
We strive to “know better” so that we may “do better.” We accept that we are all capable of mistakes, and seek a culture of open-mindedness, self-reflection, willingness to change, and mutual support.
Safety
To promote a safe and productive work environment we won’t tolerate: prejudicial or discriminatory language, hate speech, illegal substances, display of firearms/weapons, or hate symbols.
Goals
Invited Speakers
Nominate speakers from diverse backgrounds for consideration to the Seminar Series in Neuroscience.
Recruitment
Review and modify recruitment processes to promote the recruitment and retention of community members from underrepresented groups.
Self-assessment
Design regular internal surveys to assess climate and wellbeing, as well as post-recruitment surveys.
Resources
Develop strategies and materials for the effective training and support of underrepresented groups. Solicit training opportunities through the University and professional committees.
Conflict Management
Interpersonal conflicts can be constructive or destructive, depending on the approach towards resolution. Here are several notable paths and institutional resources for resolution:
Interpersonal Resolution
- Self-Reflect and Assess Situation
- Assess Resources and Strategy
- Third-Party Mediation
Resources
- Program for Excellence in Academics and Community (PEAC), a four-week-long summer academic residential program offered through the Miramontes Arts and Sciences Program foor incoming students accepted to CU Boulder and attending in the Fall.
- Summer Transfer Excellence Program (STEP), a challenging academic summer bridge program for incoming transfer students, offered through the MIramontes Arts and Sciences Program.
- McNair Scholars Program: McNair participants are either first-generation college students with financial need, or members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented.
- CU STEM students organizations: First-generation college students with financial need, or members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented.
- Undergraduate Reseach Opportunities Program (UROP)
- SMART Program: SMART is open to all applicants, but the program is intended for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including students from any race or ethnicity who are disabled, among the first generation in their families to attend college and are Pell grant eligible, or have overcome extraordinary challenges.
- STEM Routes Uplift is open to all applicants, but the program is intended for students from low-income, first-generation, and other underrepresented minorities.
- Other undergraduate opportunities through CU Boulder
- NIH's ENDURE Undergraduate Educational Program for underrepresented populations
- The Society for Neuroscience's two-year online training program open to underrepresented graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
- NIH program for graduate students who are from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in neuroscience research. Supports transition from PhD (up to last two years of PhD and up to 4 years of a postdoc)
- The Ford Foundation's predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowship program. Positive factors for selection include but are not limited to: Trainee with sustained personal engagement with communities that are underrepresented or membership in one or more of the following groups whose underrepresentation in the American professoriate has been severe and longstanding.
- NSF's Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- NIH Predoctoral Fellowships (F31)
- CU Boulder's Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG) DEI Award. All are welcome to apply, this award is intended for students who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous or Person of Color). Applicants must be a graduate or professional student.
- CU Boulder Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship for Diversity Program
- University of Utah's Rising Stars Program.
Various types of awards for faculty from the Society for Neuroscience
- ODECE events calendar
- Leadership Alliance
- ABRCMS conference: Conference for underrepresented students, inclusion of minorities, veterans and people with disabilites working in these fields
- SACNAS conference: The largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the country
- STEMNoire conference: A first-of-its-kind research conference and holistic wellness retreat for women of the African diaspora in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
- Office of Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement
- Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance
- Center for Inclusion and Social Change (CISC)
- Miramontes Arts & Sciences Program (MASP) to support traditionally underrepresented and/or first-generation students
- Colorado Diversity Initiative
- STEM Routes
- Psychology and Neuroscience Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
- Behavioral Neuroscience Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force
- Psychologists Advocating for System Training in Anti-racism (PASTA)
- Social Psychology Anti-Racism Committee (SPARC)
CU Boulder Diversity Plan (ODECE)
Faculty Diversity Action Plan to support diversity
Colorado Advantage Program for prospective graduate students
- Professional development resources and support for faculty
- Teaching consultations offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning (including for improving inclusive practices in the classroom)
- Online tools and resources offered by Human Resources