Broad Science Broad Science, making science inclusive, engaging and intersectional

Graduate students are the backbone of academic research and innovation in our world. To capture graduate student experiences during COVID19 in Canada, The Toronto Science Policy Network(TSPN) , a student-run science policy group at the University of Toronto, decided to launch a national survey. What they found was really troubling and mirror survey's conducted in other countries. We spoke to Farah Qaiser (@this_is_farah), who helped lead this survey. She recently finished her Master’s degree in Genomics at the University of Toronto, is a co-founder and 2019-20 president of the TSPN, a science communicator and advocate.




Report: https://toscipolicynet.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/tspn_impact_of_covid-19_grad_students_in_canada.pdf

Toronto Science Policy Network: https://tspn.sa.utoronto.ca/

Broad Science Audio Doc(Breaking the Silence): https://soundcloud.com/broad-science/breaking-the-silence-graduate-student-mental-health

Unfortunately not all of the Black in Neuro organizers could join our roundtable discussion. So we are releasing bonus material to hear more about everyone on the fantastic team. Don't miss all the love and laughter!

Check them out here-> https://www.blackinneuro.com/organizers

Following the success of Black Birders Week(ep.7) many in the academic world are harnessing the power of virtual connections during the pandemic.

BlackinNeuro created a space to increase visibility of Black neuroscientists and those in neuro related fields and to celebrate these individuals and their often overlooked contributions.

We chat to 8 organizers to hear about the success of Black in Neuro Week, the scientists' behind it, their journey's in academia and the future of Black in Neuro.

Organizers Interviewed: Paige Greenwood, Ti’Air Riggins, Stephanie Renee, De-Shaine Murray, Angeline Dukes, Lietsel Richardson, Kaela S. Singleton, PhD, & Thiago Arzua

https://www.blackinneuro.com/home
Transcript available here: https://www.broadscience.org/new-audio-distancing

On this episode we're getting an update on the $6 billion Coastal GasLink pipeline, a project that the hereditary chiefs of all five clans of Wet’suwet’en have opposed. We talk to Marlene Hale, who is a member of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. She is a culinary chef but also a vocal activist, advocate and community mobilizer who is now based here in Montreal. Marlene talks about the toll this Pipeline has had on the Wet’suwet’en Nation and the ongoing struggle facing the community.


Since our recording, the pipeline has been given the green light to start pipeline work near Unist’ot’en healing centre https://thetyee.ca/News/2020/08/07/Coastal-GasLink-Green-Light/

Marlene’s weekly webinar: https://www.facebook.com/events/299287734417239/

Doreen Robinson (@dlrpretoria) is the chief for wildlife at the UN Environment programme, based in Nairobi, Kenya. She spoke to us about a landmark report, put together by many organizations including the United Nations Environment Programme (@UNEP), that highlighted zoonotic diseased were on the rise. The report lays out: “Pandemics such as the COVID-19 outbreak are a predictable and predicted outcome of how people source and grow food, trade and consume animals, and alter environments.”

Report: https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/report/preventing-future-zoonotic-disease-outbreaks-protecting-environment-animals-and

On this episode we discuss the intersection between COVID-19, the environment and Black communities, with Jared DeWese (@JaredDeWese). DeWese is a Senior Communications Advisor for the climate and energy program at Washington-based think tank Third Way. Their work is tackling the gap of Black inclusion in the climate change movement and sharing Black community voices and perceptions about the environment.

We also discuss DeWese's recent op-ed for the Hill titled “Black people are dying from coronavirus, air pollution is one of the main culprits.”
https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/499354-black-people-are-dying-from-coronavirus-air-pollution-is-one-of

Resources:
https://www.thirdway.org/

Black Americans Care About Climate Change. Why Is No One Talking to Them About It?: https://morningconsult.com/opinions/black-americans-care-about-climate-change-why-is-no-one-talking-to-them-about-it/

Why the Larger Climate Movement Is Finally Embracing the Fight Against Environmental Racism: https://time.com/5864704/environmental-racism-climate-change/

A Shock-Proof America: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX_FCAaSzCY&feature=youtu.be

Responding to the Crisis: Ensuring Environmental Justice During the COVID-19 Recovery