Section 6 NSCI 175: Introduction to Neuroscience / PSYC 220 Biopsychology

Essential Question: What are some essential DEI topics I can teach in NSCI 175/PSYC 220?

Abstract: Up through the 2000s, scientists conducting neuroscience and biopsychology research were largely white men of European descent. This means that the foundational knowledge featured in textbooks does not represent the work of diverse scientists. Likewise, the (WEIRD) samples used in neuroscience and biopsychology research does not encompass the diversity of research participants as a whole. For example, until recently most animal research was conducted on male animals. Likewise, until recently, most clinical trials recruited only male subjects. This is problematic because certain populations may have increased risk for disease/disorder, rates of disease/disorder diagnosis, or poor treatment outcomes due to systemic inequities.


Class Topics and Learning Objectives

  • Topic: Racial Disparities in Pain Management
    • Objective: Discuss racial and ethnic disparities in pain management. Differences in pain management negatively affect groups of people who have systematically experienced greater social and/or economic obstacles to health. These obstacles stem from characteristics historically linked to discrimination or exclusion: age, race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, mental health, sexual orientation, or geographic location. Emphasizes mechanisms underlying pain disparities: bias, socioeconomic status, language barriers, and access to care.
    • Slide Deck: Here.
    • Resources
      • Mossey, J. M. (2011). Defining Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pain Management. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 469(7), 1859–1870. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-011-1770-9
      • Paulson, M. R., Dekker, A. H., & Aguilar-Gaxiola, S. (2007). Eliminating disparities in pain management. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 107(9 Suppl 5), ES17-20.


  • Topic: Racial Disparities in Diagnosis of Schizophrenia
    • Objective: Racial disparities exist in schizophrenia and little research has addressed these disparities. Our current understanding is that these disparities are likely due to both diagnostic bias and differences in environmental risk factors. Illustrates how systemic and structural racism can result in biased diagnosis. Also emphasizes the contribution of environmental risk and stressors.
    • Slide Deck: Here.
    • Resources
      • Metzl, J. M. (2009). The protest psychosis: How schizophrenia became a black disease (pp. xxi, 246). Beacon Press.


  • Topic: Genetics - GWAS Studies
    • Objective: Understanding the disparities in genetic tests, specifically GWAS studies. How applicable are any genetic studies to date? If certain GWAS studies are not using a diverse set of individuals, then can these be reliable? Currently, there is a push in the genetics field to engage minority communities to enroll in genetics or genomic research studies and on investigators to reach out to underrepresented communities. Important to mention to students if they are reading a GWAS study, they need to check to see if they’ve included a diverse set of individuals.
    • Slide Deck: Here.
    • Resources


  • Topic: War on Drugs
    • Objective: Introducing a bit of history on the War on Drugs and emphasizing that drug policies need to be shifted to a health-based approach (based on peer-reviewed studies). It’s important for students to see that many of the past or even current policies to combat substance use disorder created a large racial disparity. Oftentimes the policies are enforced despite the lack of scientific evidence of its effectiveness.
    • Slide Deck: Here.
    • Resources
      • Rosino, M. L., & Hughey, M. W. (2018). The War on Drugs, Racial Meanings, and Structural Racism: A Holistic and Reproductive Approach. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 77(3–4), 849–892. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajes.12228


  • Topic: Glia are More Than Glue
    • Objective: For a long time, glia were considered simply as support cells for neurons. Work by Ben Barres and others demonstrated that glia can influence a variety of functions in the brain. Dr. Barres work specifically showed that glia cells can influence synapse formation and elimination.
    • Slide Deck: Here.
    • Resources
      • See website for Project Biodiversify



  • Topic: Scientist Spotlight! Dr. Bennet Omalu


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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Teaching by UNC Psychology & Neuroscience DEI Education Subcommittee is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.