Faculty and staff from the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences have shared their expertise in this area within and beyond the Duke campus, from presenting webinars to penning op-eds to engaging in a range of research and other activities. Below are some highlights of their work.
Using Restorative Justice to Build a Culture of Belonging & Continuous Growth
In the summer of 2023, a Duke Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences team was selected to participate in a new yearlong pilot program, “Shifting the Paradigm: Restorative Justice as a Framework for Workforce Well-Being.” Offered through the Office for Faculty, in partnership with the School of Medicine’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, the program aimed to help address burnout, compassion fatigue, and harms, while promoting workforce wellness and satisfaction in the School of Medicine community.
Community Partnership Creates an Inclusive Experience for Autistic Moviegoers
The Sensory Friendly Film Series, an initiative created through a partnership between the Carolina Theatre of Durham and the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, provides a safe and welcoming cinema experience for autistic individuals and others in need of sensory accommodations.
Interpretation Services Make Duke Research Accessible to Spanish Speakers
At the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, researchers are working to ensure that research studies are accessible and research outcomes are broadly applicable. The research team partners with interpretation services to bring Spanish-speaking families into the study. Interpretation goes beyond direct translation; in addition to being understandable, all materials are designed to be culturally appropriate.
Retreat Offers Those Working in Trauma-Informed Care a Space to Learn & Recharge
The NC Trauma-Informed Communities Project team held a retreat in Pine Knoll Shores, NC, on September 23-25. The gathering was an opportunity for those working in the trauma-informed space to elevate their equity-focused, community-led approaches and to build community and enhance connection amongst themselves through relational power and restorative justice practices.
The Past is Never Fully Past: A Case for DEI in Medical Education
In this AAMC Viewpoint article, Damon Tweedy, MD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and New York Times best-selling author, argues that curtailing training in diversity, equity, and inclusion risks ignoring the shadow of history that still haunts many Black patients.
Sam Brandsen & Tara Chandrasekhar Advocate for Disability & Neurodiversity Inclusion
On the anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Duke Graduate School takes an opportunity to reflect on the state of disability justice today, especially here at Duke, and to highlight the exciting, ongoing work of students, faculty, and staff as it relates to disability—including efforts by Duke Psychiatry's Sam Brandsen, PhD, and Tara Chandrasekhar, MD.
Tyson Pankey Named Vice Chair for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Assistant professor Tyson Pankey, PhD, MPH, has been named vice chair for equity, diversity, and inclusion for the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, effective August 1, 2024. A clinician, researcher, and educator, Pankey specializes in culturally responsive behavioral health and education among minority patients, including those with intersecting cultural identities and backgrounds.
School of Medicine Celebrates Juneteenth with Keynote by Damon Tweedy
Duke University School of Medicine’s Black employee resource group held its third annual Juneteenth celebration on June 20. The event featured keynote speaker Damon Tweedy, MD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.
Experts Offer Best Practices for Inclusive Research
Several Duke CTSI experts on best practices for inclusive community-engaged research—including Duke Psychiatry's Dane Whicker, PhD—joined the panel for “Building Inclusion into Research: Language Matters,” a virtual Research Town Hall hosted by the Duke Office of Scientific Integrity.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Spotlight: Sarah Wilson, PhD
In this month's School of Medicine EDI Spotlight, Sarah Wilson, PhD, assistant professor in psychiatry & behavioral sciences, shares about several programs she’s working on and provides a glimpse into her world outside of Duke—including performing as a Prince impersonator.