BrainsCAN takes action to remove barriers with postdoctoral program special call

September 16, 2020  -  BrainsCAN Communications

Western University

On June 5, BrainsCAN’s Executive and EDI Committees released a statement on anti-Black racism, indicating our commitment to an equitable and inclusive academic and research environment. Today, we are putting our words into action, by announcing the BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Fellowship Program: Special Call. 

In alignment with the Postdoctoral Program, the special call will attract the world’s most promising and diverse early-career neuroscientists. Led by Fay Harrison, BrainsCAN's Executive Director, it will provide opportunities for underrepresented groups to pursue their research goals in an exceptional neuroscience research environment that will prepare them for impactful careers.

“BrainsCAN’s research excellence combined with our role as pioneers of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives puts us in a position to motivate systemic change,” said Lisa Saksida, BrainsCAN’s Co-Scientific Director and Co-Chair of the EDI Committee. “By providing equal opportunities to and encouraging participation from these groups, we will support underrepresented and highly-accomplished early-career researchers to realize their full potential, and at the same time, strengthen our impact in the research and neuroscience communities.”

Successful applicants will be outstanding scientists whose innovative work has already achieved impact, who have demonstrated great potential for continued contributions, and who are a self-identified member of an underrepresented group (including Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, people with disabilities, and women).

BrainsCAN’s EDI and Executive Committees have been working hard in collaboration with researchers to identify specific areas of concern within the BrainsCAN community and to develop clear action plans to address them.

“We recognize that barriers remain to the full participation of underrepresented groups in our research communities,” said Nicole Kaniki, BrainsCAN’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Specialist. “Despite individual meritorious achievement, these groups often face challenges in accessing opportunities because of systemic biases that exist in the academy immersed in processes of admissions, recruitment, professional development, working and learning conditions, mentorship, resources, and support structures. This special call is one step BrainsCAN is taking to contribute toward building a more inclusive research environment.”

For more information about the special call, please see: https://brainscan.uwo.ca/programs/pdf_special_call/index.html

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