During the 2024–2025 academic year, the Race, Medicine & Social Justice Research Cluster continued its commitment to examining critical intersections between race, medicine and social justice. Central to our activities this year was honoring the remarkable legacy of Professor Lundy Braun, who created this cluster and whose scholarship and activism profoundly shaped our understanding of racism in medicine and its social implications.
In February 2025, we hosted a community reading of Professor Braun’s influential work, "Breathing Race into the Machine," facilitating meaningful discussions about how racial biases became scientifically institutionalized through medical technology. This event underscored Professor Braun's critical insights into how historically racialized medical practices continue to shape contemporary health inequities.
The highlight of our year was the symposium on March 21, 2025, co-hosted by Science, Technology and Society (STS). STS was, of course, co-founded by our very own Lundy Braun. This symposium aimed to celebrate Professor Braun’s legacy. Esteemed speakers, including Professor Evelynn Hammonds from Harvard, Professor Anthony Ryan Hatch from Wesleyan University and Professor Jenny Reardon from UC Santa Cruz, explored themes central to Braun’s work, such as racial measurement, health inequity and social justice. Brown graduate student Eric Jones' tribute was a testament to the longevity and impact of Lundy’s influence. These discussions not only honored Lundy's scholarship but also sparked deeper conversations on how these issues continue to influence healthcare and policy.
Looking forward, the cluster remains dedicated to honoring Professor Braun's vision. Upcoming events will build on the foundation and scaffolding she left. We aim to critically engage with topics such as private equity in healthcare, the role of artificial intelligence in perpetuating or mitigating health disparities and ongoing explorations of systemic racism in medical practices. Our goal remains clear: to foster interdisciplinary dialogue, inspire action toward healthcare equity and honor the enduring impact of Lundy Braun’s scholarship and advocacy.
Taneisha Wilson, M.D., Sc.M.
Race, Medicine, and Social Justice Research Cluster Faculty Fellow
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Attending Physician, Brown University Health
Director, Clinical Research, Brown Emergency Medicine