Inclusion and Outreach

In the Swann lab we value making science accessible to everyone. As such, we welcome individuals from all groups, especially those typically under-represented in higher education and science. We also recognize the importance of science communication and outreach to help connect our science to the public. Here we have highlighted a few of the ways that we are creating an inclusive environment.

 

Support for under-represented groups:

  • Nicki recently wrote about academic culture and how the challenges associated with taking breaks can exclude some of the most vulnerable, by sharing her experience with serious illness as a graduate student and assistant professor.

 

  • Nicki is a DREAMer Ally.  Below is her statement of support for undocumented and DREAMer students.

“I support all students regardless of immigration status or country of origin. As a DREAMer Ally, I support Dreamer students and promote their sense of belonging and safety as they pursue their higher education goals. For more information and resources please visit the UO dreamers page. I commit to keeping your status confidential if you reveal it to me, but also remind you that when interacting with faculty, staff, and offices around camps you are never required to reveal your immigration status.”

 

  • Our lab is proud to be part of the SPUR program at UO which supports undergraduate involvement in research (especially undergraduates groups under-represented in science/research). Through this program we can host summer undergraduate students in the lab. Please apply if interested!

 

  • Nicki is proud to be a co-author (part of the working group) on this paper  in PNAS, which provides guidance for how conferences can be more inclusive and promote a sense of belonging by better supporting parents (especially mothers). We provide concrete guidelines for conferences to follow from providing subsidized childcare options, adequate lactation resources, accommodating schedules, and building social networks to help build support systems!

 

from Calisi et al, 2018 PNAS

 

 

  • Dr. Nicki Swann has previously been a project leader for the SMASH Program through UC Berkeley. This program brings under-represented high school students of color to UC Berkeley campus for an intensive science and math academy. Dr. Swann helped lead a project looking at the effects of distraction on motor performance (like the effects of texting on driving!)

 

Science Communication

  • Dr. Swann has authored 2 open access journal articles written for and reviewed by kids through Frontiers for Young Minds. The first article looked at how we control our movements, especially stopping movements which are already underway. The second article discussed how we may be able to improve treatments for Parkinson’s disease by incorporating feedback from patient’s own brain signals!

 

  • A critical part of being a scientist and a teacher is to learn how to convey science to the public. Read more about Dr. Swann’s teaching philosophy.