Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
At GBHI, we are committed to advancing equity in brain health through embracing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) principles in our recruitment, leadership, initiatives, training, and community building efforts, fostering an authentic, fair, open, respectful, courageous, and empathetic culture where every individual's unique contributions are valued and celebrated.
By focusing on vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by dementia and prioritizing initiatives that can make a difference to these communities, GBHI endorses and amplifies DEIB principles.
GBHI recognizes the importance of DEIB in the following ways:
- Selection and recruitment are targeted towards building a community of diverse fellows, faculty, and staff, composed of people from many different countries and professions, united by the common goal of improving brain health globally.
- Leadership reflects our global diversity, our ambitions of equity, and the communities we serve.
- Equity Awards, awarded annually, support innovative research and projects focused on brain health and dementia prevention in underserved communities.
- The Global Atlantic Community, led by the Atlantic Institute, includes seven interconnected Atlantic Fellows programs, including Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health, each committed to different aspects of equity.
- The founding sites of GBHI are dedicated to instilling the ideals of DEIB in our respective communities. Read more about efforts to build welcoming and supportive communities at UCSF and Trinity.
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Training is part of the training for GBHI community members.
- Diversity Champions, founded in 2019, is a dedicated team of GBHI community members supporting personal and program growth in this space.
As brain health leaders and advocates, Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health and GBHI community members are encouraged to uphold GBHI’s values of of Authenticity, Fairness, Openness, Respect, Courage, and Empathy (A FORCE) and to use their work to make a positive impact on brain health equity in their local communities and on a global scale. We recognize that our strength lies in the diversity of experiences, perspectives, and talents that each member of our global community brings to the table.
GBHI VALUES | DEIB COMMITMENT |
| Authenticity – assumes a genuine foundation for action | DEIB enhances impact through collaborative approaches with integrity. |
| Fairness – implies transparency and is founded within the value of equity | Upholding DEIB principles holds us accountable to make decisions through an equity lens. |
| Openness – requires an appreciation for diversity and underlies the curiosity needed for evidence-based change | DEIB enhances the quality of our work by embracing diverse perspectives, challenging the status-quo, and enabling innovations in research and programs. |
| Respect – fortifies gratitude and embraces diversity | DEIB principles ensure that cultural humility underlies the work that we do. |
| Courage – implies the need to take risk. | Our ambitious approach will require us to stretch beyond our comfort zone and adopt new ways of thinking and doing. |
| Empathy – is at the heart of community-informed change | DEIB appreciates that empathy is critical to understanding the impact of our roles, work, and actions— not just the intent. |
Our mission to improve brain health for populations across the world is firmly seated in working compassionately with all people, including vulnerable and underserved populations, to improve outcomes and promote dignity for all.
— Victor Valcour, Site Director, UCSF
Othering and Belonging
Brain science shows us why we should favor belonging over othering. This video in the Citizen Brain series is hosted by Josh Kornbluth, an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at GBHI.
