King’s College London’s School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences Development, Diversity and Inclusion Committee has put a spotlight on an important area in microaggressions and the Awards Panel were impressed with their simple and effective use of videos to promote equity, diversity and inclusion in teaching and the laboratory”.
Sir Mark Caulfield, President Elect of the British Pharmacology Society
30 June 2023
Development, Diversity and Inclusion Committee receives award for its work highlighting microaggressions
The School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences (SCMMS) Development, Diversity and Inclusion (DDI) Committee has won a prestigious award for its work in highlighting microaggressions in and out of the lab.
The British Pharmacology Society offered the Committee its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) 2023 prize, which recognises members who are championing EDI within their institutions.
The Chair of the SCMMS DDI committee, Professor Susan Brain said: ‘It is an honour for our committee to receive this award. There has been a keen, diverse and effective team, working on these animations. Now we want as many people as possible to make use of them. These videos are short (only 1-2 min) and are now starting to be used for a variety of training sessions; including for induction sessions, both nationally and internationally.”
The SCMMS DDI Committee consists of a diverse group of members from within the School, including academics, professional services and PhD students. Among these there are several pharmacologists who contributed to creating two short animated videos that highlight microaggressions both in and out of the lab.
Whilst microaggressions are historically considered to be aimed at marginalized groups, these distressing activities can happen to people from any background who work at any level. The first animation explores common microaggressions found in the community, and how to re-frame thoughts and opinions in order to avoid perpetuating a microaggression.
The second animation was produced following a comment by the former Head of School, Professor Michael Marber, who suggested creating a video on lab-based microaggressions - particularly due to the research-based focus of the School. This video, to the Committee's knowledge, is the first laboratory-based tool for tackling microaggressions.
It is an honour for our committee to receive this award. There has been a keen, diverse and effective team, working on these animations. Now we want as many people as possible to make use of them. These videos are short (only 1-2 min) and are now starting to be used for a variety of training sessions; including for induction sessions, both nationally and internationally.”
Professor Sue Brain, Chair of the School DDI Committee
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Professor of Pharmacology