Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources
Who We Are
The Equality and Social Justice Committee (ESJC) is a group of faculty and students committed to diversity and inclusion, in its broadest sense. As scientists whose day-to-day research is concerned with understanding how people think, behave, and relate to one another we believe our work is critical to combating systemic racism. As such, we seek to (1) improve the climate for current members of the department, (2) create an inviting and inclusive environment for potential new colleagues and students, and (3) provide resources to support students and faculty in all of their endeavors.
Resources for Prospective Students, Current Students, and Faculty
- Confidential resources:
- Non-confidential resources:
- Mental and emotional health resources outside the university:
- CUNY maintains this helpful list of mental health resources for Black-identifying community members
- Loveland Foundation therapy fund for Black women and girls
- Summer programs:
- BRAINYAC offers intensive summer research apprenticeships for NYC high school students; see their website for program-specific application requirements
- HYPOTHEkids organizes science and engineering programs for grade school, middle school, and high school students in NYC
- The International Youth BrainSTEM Summit is an annual three-day neuroscience-themed ideathon for anyone between the ages of 13-22
- Other opportunities throughout the year:
- MBBI Saturday Science invites local families to learn more about neuroscience in monthly events held at the Zuckerman Institute
- Girls’ Science Day is a day-long program of hands-on activities for middle school girls, led by Women in Science at Columbia
- Columbia University Neuroscience Outreach hosts neuroscience-focused events in NYC classrooms and at local activity fairs
- Simply Neuroscience (founded by Columbia undergraduate, Chinmayi Balusu) is an international, student-led organization dedicated to neuroscience and psychology education, outreach, and awareness
- The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship provides research training, faculty mentorship, and financial support for undergraduates interested in pursuing a PhD and a career in academia
- The GSAS Summer Research Program offers undergraduates with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion the opportunity to conduct graduate-level research under the supervision of a Columbia faculty mentor
- Finally, this resource contains a list of funding opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars
- Columbia’s Bridge to PhD Program in STEM provides post-baccalaureates from underrepresented groups with intensive research and mentoring experiences aimed at strengthening their PhD applications and preparing for the transition into PhD programs
- Yale’s post-baccalaureate research education programs offer recent graduates with interest in applying to PhD programs the opportunity to conduct independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor
- Additional RA and graduate application resources (from Yale, PPREP at Harvard)
- Some of the funding opportunities for undergraduates on this resource list are also applicable to post-baccalaureates
- GSAS offers fee waivers for some prospective students with financial needs
- The Provost’s Diversity Recruitment Fellowship awards one-time research stipends to selected admitted students who will enhance the diversity of Columbia's PhD programs
- This resource contains a list of funding opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars
- The OADI Research Collective is a year-long program for graduate students conducting research on relevant to marginalized communities to explore and refine their ideas
- This resource contains a list of funding opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars
- This #BlackInNeuroWeek Mentoring Roundtable showcases Black-led initiatives and highlights the mentorship needs of Black trainees
- In the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Inclusive Teaching Seminar, participants apply concepts from the literature to develop inclusive teaching strategies, and provide and integrate peer feedback into their own inclusive teaching practice.
- The Berick Center for Student Advising offers a number of resources, including First in Family, the Higher Education Opportunity Program, and the Columbia Mentoring Initiative
- The SPARK Society aspires to increase the number of under-represented racial and ethnic minorities in the cognitive and psychological sciences