Category: Uncategorized

American Journal of Bioethics – Bolder Bioethics

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Bolder Bioethics: Demanding a Gold Standard in REDI Recommendations

Read BBB co-founders’ Open Peer Commentary on the need for Bolder Bioethics led by Kumeri, in response to Lee et al. (2024)’s recommendations for Bioethics program directors to promote Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI).

Bioethics has often neglected racial justice, despite calls from bioethicists of minoritised backgrounds. Leadership tends to overlook racism as an internal issue, highlighting the need for REDI initiatives. Lee et al. (2024) offer recommendations for anti-racist practices in bioethics, such as fostering research with diverse populations and building equitable community partnerships. However, as co-founders of the Black and Brown in Bioethics, we argue that these suggestions fall short of challenging the power imbalances in academia, allowing institutions to seem responsive without addressing the root causes of racial inequity.

You can find the published article here .

Medical Humanities Podcast with Kumeri and Matimba

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Medical Humanities and Black and Brown in Bioethics are joining forces to transform the academic publishing landscape to cater to more diverse voices, knowledge, and audiences via the BBB Medical Humanities Research Forum. In a discussion on the Medical Humanities Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Brandy Schillace speaks with Matimba Swana and Kumeri Bandara about Black and Brown in Bioethics (BBB). The podcast explores BBB’s origins, its focus on social justice, and its role in creating a supportive community for scholars of color in bioethics.

Key points discussed include:

  • The lack of representation for people of color in UK bioethics.
  • The importance of addressing health inequalities and promoting racial equity.
  • The need for community-building among marginalised scholars, especially following events like George Floyd’s murder.
  • The BBB’s formation through informal conversations and meetings.
  • The challenges faced in publishing and academia, including biases and gatekeeping.
  • Medical Humanities and BBB’s plans for a research forum to support Black and Brown scholars in publishing and sharing their work.

Overall, the conversation highlights the power of community and the necessity for structural changes in academia to ensure equitable opportunities for all. You can listen to the full conversation via Medical Humanities Podcast with Matimba Swana and Kumeri Bandara.

Subscribe to the Medical Humanities Podcast in all podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider leaving us a review and a 5-star rating on the Medical Humanities Podcast iTunes page (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/medical-humanities-podcast/id961667204). Thank you for listening!

The Polyphony – BBB PGBC2023 panel

Posted on by matimba.swana

Reflections on “Kumeri, in conversation with Patricia Kingori, Agomoni Ganguli-Mitra and Ayesha Ahmad on activism and advocacy in bioethics as a postgraduate”.

In the Polyphony BBB co-founders discuss postgraduate activism and advocacy in UK bioethics, reflecting on a panel hosted by the Black and Brown in Bioethics (BBB) Network during the 2023 Postgraduate Bioethics Conference. This panel will also form an episode of our Power and Privilege podcast. The panel stressed the importance of social justice in academia, addressing inequalities and empowering postgraduates to engage in advocacy. Key points include:

  • Activism Definition: Advocating for political or social change is essential for overcoming institutional barriers.
  • Personal Journeys: Panelists shared how microaggressions led them to engage in activism, recognising the support from past leaders.
  • Challenges: Postgraduates face significant institutional and structural challenges, including the myth of meritocracy and navigating politics.
  • Strategic Engagement: Advocates should evaluate their institution’s dynamics and seek allies to share the burden of activism.
  • Identity in Research: Personal experiences shape research approaches, demonstrating the need for diverse recruitment methods.
  • Community Importance: Building strong communities fosters connection, support, and self-care among minority academics.
  • Storytelling Power: Sharing experiences enhances understanding and promotes healing within marginalised communities.
  • Diversifying Bioethics: A call to include diverse perspectives in bioethics to create an equitable future and empower communities.

The reflections highlight the significance of collaboration and advocacy for minority researchers in academia. You can find the full blog post in the Polyphony – https://thepolyphony.org/2023/12/20/bbb-network/.