The ALBA General Assembly is our annual gathering of members from across the globe. It is an opportunity to reflect on ALBA’s progress, hear from leadership, and engage in timely conversations that shape the future of the Network and the broader brain sciences community.
The Assembly will open with updates from ALBA’s leadership and the announcement of the newly elected Board of Directors and Chair-Elect. We’ll also take a moment to thank outgoing members and celebrate our collective accomplishments over the past year.
This year’s panel discussion is titled: “EDI isn’t dead: Reclaiming global voices in science, health and society.”
We know that diversity is essential — not just for advancing research, but also for ensuring fair access to health and for shaping a more just society. Yet today, EDI efforts across science, health, and policy are increasingly under pressure. In many parts of the world, we’re seeing a rise in counter-narratives that seek to discredit or dismantle inclusion work: “EDI doesn’t matter,” “It’s harmful,” “It’s no longer needed,” or "It doesn't concern us.” In this context, we want to bring global voices to the forefront to explore key questions:
- How do we keep diversity and inclusion on the agenda when they’re being deprioritised?
- Why is EDI still vital across the intersecting fields of science, health, and society?
- How can researchers in the Global South — or in historically marginalised regions — retain agency over their own narratives, priorities, and research agendas, rather than being subsumed by dominant discourses from the Global North?
The conversation will continue in breakout sessions, where members will be invited to explore the following key question: What can ALBA do to keep diversity and inclusion on the agenda?
This Assembly is not just a forum for updates—it is a space to connect, reflect, and strategise together. We encourage all members to participate actively and bring their perspectives, ideas, and experiences to the table.
Join us to help ensure that equity, diversity, and inclusion remain at the forefront of neuroscience—where they belong.
Programme
| 3.15 – 3.30 PM | Welcome & introduction Chair: Dr Francesca Cirulli (Outgoing Chair of the Network - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, IT)
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| 3.30 – 4.10 PM | Panel discussion: EDI isn’t dead: Reclaiming global voices in science, health and society Co-chairs: Dr Francesca Cirulli (Outgoing Chair - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, IT) & Dr Violetta Zujovic (Incoming Chair - INSERM / Paris Brain Institute, FR) Panelists:
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| 4.10 – 4.45 PM | Breakout rooms: What can ALBA do to keep diversity and inclusion on the agenda? |
| 4.45 – 5.00 PM | Feedback from breakout rooms & closing remarks by incoming chair-elect |
Times are CEST.
Download the programme
Please note that the General Assembly is only accessible to ALBA members. If you wish to join us, you can become a member for free here.
Members will receive an email to register.
More information on the ALBA Elections process.
