Reflections on attending FENS2024 by one of our BNA Scholars, Dipa Begum
23rd August 2024
BNA Event - 10th Aug 2020
We invite you to an open discourse to discuss your experiences, views and aspirations for the future of neuroscience - with you in it.
With an increase in international attention of the Black Lives Matter movement and the global positive reception to #BlackinNeuro, the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) recognises that more can be done to support Black and ethnic minority neuroscientists to join the field, navigate through the learning process and thrive in this dynamic discipline.
Through this meeting, attendees will be able to discuss the resources, opportunities, and guidance they would love to benefit from (e.g. mentorship; professional development talks - giving poster presentations, locating funding, publishing; peer-support via a network), whilst revealing issues that need to be addressed (e.g. lack of research with BAME subjects; lack of Black senior neuroscientists; Eurocentric biases in research).
These discussions are important to cultivate an educational/working environment that is inclusive and empowering. We welcome you to the first step in our commitment to do so.
We are aware that there are other groups of individuals who are also under-represented or are faced with barriers for involvement in UK neuroscience, including but not limited to LGBTQ, those with disabilities, socio-economic circumstances, or caring responsibilities.
At the moment, this particular activity will focus on the experience and challenges for Black and Ethnic Minorities in neuroscience, as we believe these will be distinct from others. However, if you would like to explore other needs for inclusion then we'd love to hear from you!
Please contact us at office(at)bna.org.uk, @BritishNeuro on Twitter, or our EDI committee member YhnellE(at)cardiff.ac.uk.