C.O.D.E. (Community Outreach and Diversity Efforts) Committee is founded by members of the Cognitive Neurophysiology Lab at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. The CODE Committee was formed in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, which encouraged us to reevaluate how we, an institution in The Bronx, serve the Black and other POC communities of The Bronx. We aim for our efforts to increase these populations’ general trust in science (and their interest in pursuing careers in STEM) and counteract barriers to participation in research. Moreover, we intend for our work to uphold the CNL as an institution which prioritizes inclusivity for individuals of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
Since its formation in June 2020, following #ShutDownSTEM, the CODE Committee has identified three initiatives in line with its core mission. They are as follows:
Material Monitoring: The Material Monitoring group regularly inspects the waiting area and testing spaces within the lab, in addition to online recruitment materials and participant surveys to ensure the physical environment and online presence of the CNL maintains an environment of inclusivity. Most recently, this group has updated our research enrollment form to include space for participants to include their gender identity and their pronouns. We are also currently reviewing our shampoo and conditioner options available within the lab, which participants may use after their EEG sessions. While participants are always welcome to bring their own products, we are aiming to provide additional options for a spectrum of hair textures, porosities, and styles.
Brains & Beginnings: “Brains & Beginnings” is a virtual chat series happening in Winter 2021-2022 where neuroscientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine will discuss where they are today, how they got here, and all the twists and turns along the way! This series is aimed at introducing local high school students to exciting topics in neuroscience and highlighting all the different ways to get started in this field. All are welcome to join! For more information about dates and times, please visit our Eventbrite page.
Feedback Loop: The responsibilities of the Feedback Loop team involve actively seeking input from participants, colleagues, and community members, and implementing their feedback into CNL operations. This group has recently inputted an "inclusivity suggestion box" into the CNL waiting room, which we hope will encourage participants to share their thoughts with us about how we can continuously improve our space!
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