June 11, 2020

Statement from the Department of Psychological Sciences 

We are prompted to speak out by the recent unjust murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. We want to emphasize that these recent events are just the latest in a centuries-long pattern of abuse in the U.S. We find this deeply wrong and we want it to stop. We believe in the use of science as a tool for the public good—indeed, many of us have become psychologists because of a feeling that in its objectivity and clarity of insight, science can help address a range of societal challenges. At the same time, we recognize that scientific questions are shaped by the larger cultural context, and it is crucial that scientific communities include voices from diverse backgrounds so that our research questions, methods, and explanations are informed by a wide and balanced variety of perspectives. To that end, we are committed to building and supporting a diverse and inclusive community and using our voices and power as scientists to promote equity. We welcome input and dialogue with members of the University and the public as we work towards these goals.