Steps towards decolonising teaching and learning in neuroscience
14:40-16:00 BST | Tuesday 13th April 2021
Faculty
- Siddharthan Chandran (Chair), University of Edinburgh, UK | Director of Edinburgh Neuroscience
- Yvonne Mbaki (Panellist) University of Nottingham, UK
- Rebecca Trueman (Panellist) University of Nottingham, UK
- Sarah Guthrie (Panellist) University of Sussex, UK
- Aisha Islam (Panellist), Newcastle University I BNA Scholar
Description
Decolonising teaching and learning in neuroscience is much discussed amongst students, researchers and lecturers, but at present there is a great deal of uncertainty about what decolonising actually means, why it’s important, how to achieve it, and whether neuroscience even needs it.
How do we, as a neuroscience community, want neuroscientists of the future to consider and approach ethnicity? How can the curriculum be shaped to ensure a more diverse neuroscience? What tools, tips, or platforms can we use to share experiences, knowledge, and best practice to mean the community is truly inclusive?
This session will invite delegates to join panellists on an exploration and discussion around decolonising neuroscience teaching and learning.
It will include hearing about the experience of students from under-represented ethnic groups, an example of how a medical curriculum has been improved to make it more inclusive, and how neuroscientists might approach adapting their course material and students change how they view neuroscience. There will be plenty of chance for discussion and Q&A.
Following this special session there will be further opportunities for ongoing discussion and brainstorming.
A key outcome of the session will be to draw up a set of useable guidelines to help everyone engaged in teaching and learning in neuroscience to make it more inclusive of all ethnic groups.