Perception Institute is an action-oriented think tank working to achieve dignity, belonging, and fairness for all.
We bring together researchers and strategists who turn groundbreaking mind science research into solutions that can transform how people are treated in core areas of their lives, how institutions function, and how we engage with each other.
Perception Institute engages in original research and designs evaluations, interventions and training to support organizational effectiveness. Integral to this work is the capacity to communicate across lines of difference, disrupt cycles of biased behavior, and integrate practices of fairness and opportunity.
We collaborate closely with stakeholders in areas such as education, health care, justice systems and media, rigorously testing and implementing scalable solutions that address unique challenges within these critical domains.
We Turn Research Into Remedies
Our Commitment
Perception Institute is unwavering in our commitment to rigorous research, which enables us to uncover the elements necessary to fostering inclusive environments where people across identities experience dignity and belonging.
Our Mission
Through research, strategy, and advocacy, we aim to create a world where people of every race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity and gender expression, age, ability, and socio-economic or class status thrive and experience a profound sense of belonging.
Our Vision
A world in which people across identities experience dignity and belonging.
Our Values
We believe in people.
Most humans strive to be good and want to live in a flourishing world. Yet our brains, shaped by history, culture, and the economic, social, and political systems we live in, can lead us to behave contrary to the beliefs we may hold. Perception Institute inspires people to live their values.
We believe in empathy.
We are inspired to act when we recognize ourselves in someone else’s experience. Identity differences can lead us to designate certain groups as “other” and less than fully human. Increasing empathy helps us celebrate identity differences and recognize our shared humanity and linked fate.
We believe in empirical science.
We leave no assumption untested. We base our actions and our discourse on what the research tells us—not what we want it to tell us—and aim for depth over breadth. We are evidence-based advocates.
We believe in solutions.
Discrimination is a complicated problem that operates on both structural and individual levels. But failure and tragedy are not inevitable. If people believe that discrimination is intractable, they are less likely to take action. We are dedicated to raising awareness of and applying empirically tested solutions to real-world
Our team
-
Afua Addo
Deputy Director of Programs and Training -
Jennifer Dworkin
Director of Multimedia Content -
Rheanna Ganapathy
Research & Data Analyst -
Rachel D. Godsil
Co-Founder, Senior Research Advisor, Board of Directors -
Sarah T. Graves
Chief Development Officer -
Jason Craige Harris
Senior Advisor -
Fahima Islam
Director of Assessment and Research -
Jakita Miller
Director of Operations -
Rachel Perry
Deputy Director of Program Management and Strategic Initiatives -
Sadiqa Reynolds, Esq.
CEO -
Rebecca Willett
Chief Operating Officer
Our team
Sadiqa Reynolds
Afua Addo
Rebecca Willett
