The Neuroscience department at Brown is committed to centering efforts towards diversity, equity and inclusion in all our teaching, mentoring and research. This is grounded in our knowledge that the best science requires an inclusive environment, and that long-standing biases exist in STEM that negatively impact members of our community and science as a whole. Thus, we strive to be a community in which a diverse set of thoughts, perspectives and experiences are valued. One where anybody, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, age, body size and ability feels that they are welcome here and belong here.

We believe that everyone here should have a seat at the table and be given the opportunity to bring out their best in an environment where an individual’s strengths and specific challenges are recognized, and where as a community we work towards elevating every individual while collectively lowering barriers that impede them. We are a community committed to educating ourselves, to learning about and from each other, and to openly discussing biases, barriers and inequities that some of us may face, while committing ourselves to recognizing and eliminating them. We are committed to bringing this effort of equity-mindedness to our research laboratories, our classrooms, our meetings and our social events. In instances where we fail to do so, we commit to accepting feedback, learning from our mistakes and working to improve. We are also committed to actively combating racism and racist practices, advocating for and bringing about institutional change, and serving as a role model for the rest of the university. You are welcome here!