Why Neuroscience?

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The Science of How We React to Change

At the heart of understanding human behaviour is the polyvagal theory, introduced by Dr. Stephen Porges. This theory explains how our autonomic nervous system—particularly the vagus nerve—regulates our responses to safety and threat. When faced with change, our default reactions often fall into the "fight, flight, or freeze" categories. These reactions can make addressing embedded biases and unhelpful thinking patterns feel emotionally and psychologically overwhelming.

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In the context of EDI, this is critical. Our brains are wired to seek comfort in the familiar (the "in-group") and to perceive the unfamiliar (the "out-group") as a potential threat. This natural response isn't inherently bad, but when left unchecked, it can perpetuate stereotypes, exclusionary behaviours, and resistance to change.

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By understanding how the nervous system operates, we can develop trauma-informed practices that create safe environments for learning and growth. Trauma, whether large "T" (e.g., significant life-altering events) or small "t" (e.g., microaggressions, systemic inequities), deeply impacts how individuals from minoritised groups navigate a world not designed for them. This understanding allows us to approach inclusion with empathy, recognising that reactions to change or perceived challenges often stem from deeply ingrained survival mechanisms.

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Breaking Free from Limiting Patterns

As Gabor Maté highlights in The Myth of Normal, many of our limiting beliefs and behaviours are rooted in experiences shaped by trauma, societal norms, and survival strategies. These patterns can make individuals feel as though they are "stuck" in ways of thinking or behaving that don’t serve them. Neuroscience, particularly the concept of neuroplasticity, shows us that we can rewire these patterns.

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Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form and reorganise synaptic connections—proves that the brain is not static. With intentional practices, such as mindfulness, storytelling, and reflective exercises, we can create new pathways that support inclusivity, innovation, and connection. As Dr. Joe Dispenza explains in Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, the self is not fixed; it is shaped by repeated habits of thought and behaviour. By interrupting these cycles, individuals can move toward a more agile, growth-oriented mindset that benefits not only themselves but also their workplaces and communities.

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Empathy, Connection, and the Role of Mirror Neurons

Inclusion is deeply tied to our ability to connect with others. Mirror neurons—the brain cells responsible for empathy—activate when we witness someone else's experience, allowing us to "feel" their emotions. Exercises like storytelling, role-playing, and collaborative problem-solving activate these neurons, fostering connection and understanding.

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Dr. Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability (Daring Greatly and Atlas of the Heart) underscores the importance of shared stories in breaking down barriers and building trust. When people feel safe to share their experiences, it creates opportunities for "brain wave synchronisation"—a phenomenon where neural activity aligns during meaningful conversations. This synchronisation deepens relationships, aids performance, and accelerates personal and collective growth.

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From Awareness to Action: Rewiring for Inclusion

Trauma-informed pedagogy and neuroscience-based tools like pause-and-pivot techniques, habit loops (cue, routine, reward), and vagal toning exercises (e.g., breathing techniques, movement, and mindfulness) empower individuals to manage their biases and build inclusive habits. These practices help people recognise that biases are not "who they are" but learned patterns that can be reshaped.

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For example:

• Pause and Pivot: Encourages individuals to pause when they notice a biased thought and pivot toward curiosity or compassion.

• Micro-behaviours: Small, consistent actions, like amplifying underrepresented voices in meetings, can create significant cultural shifts over time.

• Allyship Practices: Moving from passive support to active advocacy through empathy and proactive inclusion.

These tools not only enhance individual well-being but also contribute to inclusive workplace cultures, fostering innovation and collaboration.

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EDI, Sustainability, and the Bigger Picture

EDI and sustainability are deeply interconnected. Both require us to break free from outdated, binary ways of thinking and embrace interconnectedness. Caroline Criado Perez’s Invisible Women highlights how systemic biases impact everything from healthcare to urban planning, often to the detriment of women and marginalized groups. By addressing these inequities, we can design systems that are fairer, more inclusive, and more sustainable.

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Organizations that prioritise EDI and sustainability are better equipped to tackle global challenges like climate change, resource inequity, and food security. Neuroscience helps bridge the gap by fostering empathy, collaboration, and long-term thinking—essential qualities for creating a sustainable future.

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A Shared Vision of Inclusion and Sustainability

When we integrate neuroscience into EDI and sustainability, we create opportunities for growth, connection, and positive impact. This work is not about "fixing" people or assigning blame but about empowering individuals to embrace new ways of thinking and being—ways that benefit themselves, their workplaces, and society at large.

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By understanding how our brains and nervous systems function, we can navigate change with empathy, build inclusive cultures, and tackle the world’s most pressing challenges together. Let’s shape a future where inclusion and sustainability aren’t ideals—they’re habits of mind and action.

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A Reading List for Growth

To deepen your understanding of these concepts, explore the following:

• The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté

• Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza

• Daring Greatly and Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown

• Think Again by Adam Grant

• Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez

• Evolve Your Brain by Dr. Joe Dispenza

• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk (trauma and its impact on behavior)

• Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute (challenging limiting beliefs in leadership)

• Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath (change management strategies)

• The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg (habit formation and change)

• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (indigenous wisdom and sustainability)

• The Future We Choose by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac (sustainability and climate action)