ABOUT
Vision
We are a powerful collective of academics in biomedical engineering (BME) who envision a profession that will equitably advance health as a right for not just some but for all of humanity. We deeply recognize that anti-Black racism leads to many of the most lethal forms of racism and human health inequalities in our country, the most stressful and exhausting physically and emotionally. We also recognize that oppression compounds for individuals with multiple marginalized identities. We are committed to intentional action in alignment with our values. We thus focus on battling anti-Black racism in the academy and the broader world while also centering all systemically oppressed identities in BME.
our mission is:
To build a cross-racial community of academics in BME who are collectively committed to dismantling oppressive structures in our profession and our society so as to build a future that reimagines and affirms the humanity of all members, seeing our lives, health, and wellbeing as intimately connected.
To educate this community in identifying racism and other oppressive power structures within our BME profession, disseminate this knowledge across BME, and organize and implement systemic changes that dismantle oppressive power structures in our profession.
To affirm, center, and amplify those with systemically excluded identities in our profession and most insidiously targeted by our society – Black women, black queer and trans individuals, AfroLatin and Latin individuals, all along the gender spectrum, Indigenous, disabled individuals, and all others experiencing multi-faced and intersectional oppressions.
Pillars
Collective IntentionalitY
BME Unite is dedicated to building and fostering a cross-racial academic community committed to dismantling oppressive structures within biomedical engineering (BME). Together, we identify opportunities for driving systemic change and affirming the humanity of all individuals in our profession.
Educate
We work to educate our BME community in identifying racism and other oppressive power structures within our BME profession, disseminate this knowledge across BME, and organize and implement systemic changes that dismantle oppressive power structures in our profession. We aim to build awareness and share knowledge that challenges systemic barriers and empowers our community to reimagine an inclusive future.
Action
Through collective action, we strive to implement tangible, systemic changes that dismantle oppressive power structures. Our work includes organizing educational events, advocating for policy changes, and fostering mentorship and empowerment programs that support historically excluded individuals within BME.
Resources
To support faculty and institutional partners, we develop and identify resources to get us closer to our vision.
our Leadership
BME UNITE Leadership 2024 - 2025
Executive Team:
Executive Team: Erika Moore, University of Maryland
Elizabeth Cosgriff-Hernandez, University of Texas at Austin
Jacqueline Linnes, Purdue University
Sarah Stabenfelt, Arizona State University
Erica Pratt, Boston University
Future Faculty Program Leader:
Madeleine Oudin, Tufts University
Future Faculty Mentorship
Program Leaders:
Julea Vlassakis, Rice University
Nisha Iyer, Tufts University
our history
BME UNITE was established in 2020 to improve racial/ethnic disparities in the academy, and in particular by centering Black women.
BME UNITE’s founding leadership was Lola Eniola-Adefeso, Kelly Stevens, Princess Imoukhuede, and Naomi Chesler. The movement first grew out of a social media group for women faculty in BME, and thus the BME UNITESlack workspace still offers some closed groups for women in BME. BME UNITE was widely opened to any faculty member in BME soon thereafter in 2020.
Since its inception, the movement has grown to include >500 BME faculty nationwide.
About the logo
Starting with the Iconic blm fist, this logo pulls in the idea of seeing the BME field as a collaborative network while moving socially forward and being conscious about our actions.
Unite and take action.
Graphic Designer:
Kailey Stevens
