Neuroscience and Behavior for the Common Good ft. Nancy Michael, Ph.D.

What does neuroscience and behavior have to do with community-engaged work? According to our guest, Nancy Michael, everything. Neuroscience and the understanding of how the environment impacts brain development and behavior is a missing link that makes many of the social issues we see in our community make sense. Nancy is the Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Biology and Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Neuroscience and Behavior major at Notre Dame. In her courses she has partnered with the Robinson Community Learning Center, the Juvenile Justice Center, and the South Bend Center for the Homeless. Her recent work has been with Beacon Health System and creating trauma informed communities. Nancy shared that persistence in communication, the demonstration of trustworthiness, and being invested in community outcomes are crucial to this type of university-community partnership.