Graduate students are the backbone of academic research and innovation in our world. To capture graduate student experiences during COVID19 in Canada, The Toronto Science Policy Network(TSPN) , a student-run science policy group at the University of Toronto, decided to launch a national survey. What they found was really troubling and mirror survey's conducted in other countries. We spoke to Farah Qaiser (@this_is_farah), who helped lead this survey. She recently finished her Master’s degree in Genomics at the University of Toronto, is a co-founder and 2019-20 president of the TSPN, a science communicator and advocate. Report: https://toscipolicynet.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/tspn_impact_of_covid-19_grad_students_in_canada.pdf Toronto Science Policy Network: https://tspn.sa.utoronto.ca/ Broad Science Audio Doc(Breaking the Silence): https://soundcloud.com/broad-science/breaking-the-silence-graduate-student-mental-health

Unfortunately not all of the Black in Neuro organizers could join our roundtable discussion. So we are releasing bonus material to hear more about everyone on the fantastic team. Don't miss all the love and laughter! Check them out here-> https://www.blackinneuro.com/organizers

Following the success of Black Birders Week(ep.7) many in the academic world are harnessing the power of virtual connections during the pandemic. BlackinNeuro created a space to increase visibility of Black neuroscientists and those in neuro related fields and to celebrate these individuals and their often overlooked contributions. We chat to 8 organizers to hear about the success of Black in Neuro Week, the scientists' behind it, their journey's in academia and the future of Black in Neuro. Organizers Interviewed: Paige Greenwood, Ti’Air Riggins, Stephanie Renee, De-Shaine Murray, Angeline Dukes, Lietsel Richardson, Kaela S. Singleton, PhD, & Thiago Arzua https://www.blackinneuro.com/home Transcript available here: https://www.broadscience.org/new-audio-distancing

On this episode we're getting an update on the $6 billion Coastal GasLink pipeline, a project that the hereditary chiefs of all five clans of Wet’suwet’en have opposed. We talk to Marlene Hale, who is a member of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. She is a culinary chef but also a vocal activist, advocate and community mobilizer who is now based here in Montreal. Marlene talks about the toll this Pipeline has had on the Wet’suwet’en Nation and the ongoing struggle facing the community. Since our recording, the pipeline has been given the green light to start pipeline work near Unist’ot’en healing centre https://thetyee.ca/News/2020/08/07/Coastal-GasLink-Green-Light/ Marlene’s weekly webinar: https://www.facebook.com/events/299287734417239/