Change, Technically

Neuroscience is the hottest STEM field. Why? What does a neuroscientist actually do? Is the brain some mechanically deterministic box configured at birth? Cat knows Ashley has the answers, and now you will, too.CreditsAshley Juavinett, host + producerCat Hicks, host + producerDanilo Campos, producer + editorFor an incisive breakdown of “the crimes against dopamine” please read the piece of that title by Mark Humphries.The myth of mental illness book that Ashley mentioned was written in 1961 and we don’t really think it’s worth reading.The longitudinal fMRI study that Ashley contributed to while in graduate school: Stewart JL, Juavinett AL, May AC, Davenport PW, Paulus MP (2015) Do you feel alright? Attenuated neural processing of aversive interoceptive stimuli in current stimulant users. Psychophysiology 52:249–262.This is the Twitter/X account that highlights when a study happens IN MICE: https://x.com/justsaysinmice. And here’s the creator’s motivation: https://jamesheathers.medium.com/in-mice-explained-77b61b598218  The study that recorded from someone’s brain while they died is Vicente et al. (2022) Enhanced Interplay of Neuronal Coherence and Coupling in the Dying Human Brain. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 14. See also this commentary about their claims.We once again mentioned field-specific ability beliefs. Here’s Cat’s blogpost on her own research.This study explores the basic dynamics of field-specific ability beliefs and shows their connection to gender inequities in academic disciplines: Leslie, S. J., Cimpian, A., Meyer, M., & Freeland, E. (2015). Expectations of brilliance underlie gender distributions across academic disciplines. Science, 347(6219), 262-265.Learn more about Ashley: https://ashleyjuavinett.com/ https://mastodon.social/@analog_ashley analog-ashley.bsky.social Learn more about Cat: https://www.drcathicks.com/ https://mastodon.social/@grimalkina grimalkina.bsky.social

What defines someone as technical? This discussion challenges traditional views on technical skills and emphasizes the impact of diverse backgrounds in tech. It highlights how visual symbols foster community belonging and the importance of social skills alongside cognitive abilities. The conversation critiques outdated hiring practices, urging inclusivity and broader skill recognition. Lastly, it promotes blending creativity with technical know-how for innovative problem-solving, celebrating individual contributions in a nurturing environment.

Discover the personal journeys of two educators committed to making STEM more inclusive. They share their transformative experiences in programming and neuroscience, highlighting the need for accessible coding education. Hear about overcoming stereotypes in tech and the importance of self-advocacy. Learn how the open science revolution can democratize research, and the challenges of traditional publishing that hinder collaboration. Dive into their reflections on belonging and breaking down barriers in a conservative upbringing.