Roth Jonathan R, Gavin Cristin F
Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294.
Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294.
J Undergrad Neurosci Educ. 2021 Dec 24;20(1):A40-A48. eCollection 2021 Fall.
This article details an antiracism exercise completed in an introductory undergraduate neuroscience class. Students completed an online pre-class multimedia module entitled "Race and the Ivory Tower" covering racism in science and medicine, the neuroscience behind bias, and the impact of race and racism on health outcomes. The module included two videos, one podcast, and a peer-reviewed journal article, alongside several optional additional resources written for both academic and lay audiences. After completing the module, students participated in an open-ended online discussion followed by an anonymous survey to elicit feedback on the exercise. As a continuation of the antiracism exercise, students researched and reported on the work of a Black or nonwhite Hispanic/Latino scientist for a final project later in the semester. Sixty-eight of 69 students participated in the discussion, and the majority discussed the neuroscience of bias and public health effects of racism. Most students also discussed the importance of the module contents or further questions that they would explore. Sixty of 69 students answered the anonymous survey, where most students reported a better understanding of racism after interacting with the content. Additionally, most students felt better prepared to discuss racism in science and medicine and more able to identify unconscious bias. Finally, students reported that they enjoyed the module contents and online discussion. Overall, this exercise effectively introduced students to the ongoing challenge of racism in science and medicine through both scientific and sociological lenses. Students recognized the collective importance of the content, which was our goal as they represent the future leaders in neuroscience and medicine and should be equipped to address leading issues within their field.
本文详细介绍了在本科神经科学入门课程中完成的一项反种族主义活动。学生们完成了一个名为“种族与象牙塔”的课前在线多媒体模块，内容涵盖科学和医学领域的种族主义、偏见背后的神经科学，以及种族和种族主义对健康结果的影响。该模块包括两个视频、一个播客和一篇同行评议的期刊文章，以及一些为学术和普通受众撰写的可选补充资源。完成该模块后，学生们参加了一场开放式在线讨论，随后进行了一项匿名调查，以收集对该活动的反馈。作为反种族主义活动的延续，学生们在本学期后期的一个期末项目中研究并报告了一位黑人或非白人西班牙裔/拉丁裔科学家的工作。69名学生中有68名参与了讨论，大多数人讨论了偏见的神经科学以及种族主义对公共健康的影响。大多数学生还讨论了该模块内容的重要性或他们将探索的进一步问题。69名学生中有60名回答了匿名调查，大多数学生表示在与内容互动后对种族主义有了更好的理解。此外，大多数学生觉得自己更有准备讨论科学和医学领域的种族主义，也更有能力识别无意识的偏见。最后，学生们表示喜欢该模块的内容和在线讨论。总体而言，这项活动通过科学和社会学的视角，有效地向学生介绍了科学和医学中持续存在的种族主义挑战。学生们认识到了这些内容的共同重要性，这正是我们的目标，因为他们代表着神经科学和医学领域未来的领导者，应该具备应对所在领域主要问题的能力。
