Our Mission
Mindbridge is the nation’s leading non-profit using brain and behavioral science to empower human rights defenders.
We conduct programming, support partnerships, and direct research at the intersection of psychological science and human rights. Through these three efforts, Mindbridge is growing a science-driven community that gives human rights defenders access to the hearts and minds of those they serve.
Our collective strength as Agents for Change is grounded in our extraordinary ability not only to remain steadfast in the face of the ongoing harm and injustice found throughout the 21st century but in our commitment to seek out ever more impactful and sustaining routes for change.
From the growing threat of domestic terrorism and violent extremism to the destructive and dehumanizing impacts of racism and discrimination to the continued trafficking of human beings to the eradication of reproductive freedoms, and beyond, a call arises that perhaps our traditional methods of intervention and change are no longer enough.
For decades our approach has been steeped in efforts focused on structural, institutional, and policy-based forms of change. And while these efforts were and continue to be utterly necessary, we are missing a critical piece of the puzzle: an understanding and functional ability to engage with the human at the center of the frame.
To change hearts and minds, you first must learn to access them.
Mindbridge uses neuroscience and psychology to access the values, beliefs, motivations, and drivers of violence in order to develop more effective interventions and propel change. We partner with government and community-based organizations in order to co-develop a holistic approach to societal transformation. Here neurobiological and psychological sciences propel data-driven intervention and program design, giving human rights defenders access to the hearts and minds they need to connect to most.
Today’s 21st-century challenges need a new approach. Join us in bringing science to human rights.
“What human rights work often misses is placing the human at the center of the frame. It is through psychology and neuroscience that we can truly come to understand the extraordinary complexity and honor the dignity of humans we seek to engage.”
— Laura Ligouri, Founder, Mindbridge
Programming
Through our understanding of how the brain gives rise to the mind, we can move beyond simply combating human rights abuses in an endless cycle of violence. By accessing the latest in psychological and neurobiological research, Mindbridge programs work to guide the psyche toward strengthening a society built on the tenets of human rights itself.
At the Mindbridge Institute, we help mission-driven organizations turn insights from brain and behavioral science into lasting impact.
Grounded in psychology and neuroscience, our educational programs provide practical strategies that enhance self-awareness, communication, and collective problem-solving. Through public courses, tailored learning workshops, and organizational partnerships, we support teams in turning insights into meaningful action, shaping practices, nurturing culture, and weaving equity into the fabric of their systems.
By addressing how identity, bias, and group dynamics shape leadership, culture, and practices, we empower teams to navigate challenges, make better decisions, and create more inclusive, resilient organizations.
Whether you’re part of a public agency, grassroots coalition, or independent practice, we work alongside you to build more inclusive, resilient systems, grounded in science, shaped by context, and driven by human connection.
Faced with high levels of stress and adversity, prioritizing trauma and mental health support for human rights defenders is paramount in ensuring their well-being and sustained effectiveness in advocacy efforts. Addressing these challenges is not only a moral imperative but also critical to strengthening the resilience and success of the broader human rights movement.
The Mental Health & Resiliency Department serves as a beacon of support and empowerment for human rights defenders facing trauma and mental health challenges. With a dedicated focus on addressing the unique experiences of those on the frontlines of human rights advocacy, our department provides comprehensive resources and interventions tailored to their specific needs. Through tailored resources and interventions, including online learning modules, we aim to raise awareness of trauma among defenders and equip organizations with practical strategies for effective support.
Housed within the Mental Health & Resiliency Department is the Healing Racial Trauma Initiative (HRTI). HRTI focuses on addressing systemic injustices within the broader community. HRTI is grounded in community, research, and justice, seeking to illuminate and address the impact of racial trauma stemming from structures of white supremacy and capitalism. Through community-led initiatives, research-driven interventions, and advocacy efforts, HRTI strives to foster healing and liberation for individuals and communities affected by racial trauma.
At Mindbridge Research & Evaluation Department (RED) we At Mindbridge Research & Evaluation Department (RED), we advance human rights using psychology and neuroscience. We conduct innovative research on human behavior and cognition to understand the roots of human rights abuses, emphasizing participatory action research to include affected communities.
Collaboration is key to our mission. We partner with researchers and human rights organizations globally, leveraging diverse expertise to enhance our research impact. Our focus is on translating research into practical insights and interventions. Through rigorous evaluation, we identify strategies to promote human rights and drive social change, aiming to empower communities and inform policy for universal human rights respect.
The Countering Extremism Directive (CED) emerges The Countering Extremism Directive (CED) emerges in response to a concerning resurgence of terrorist attacks, particularly those driven by xenophobia, racism, and other forms of intolerance. A 2022 report by the Secretary-General highlights how Member States now perceive this brand of terrorism as the fastest-growing or most prominent domestic security threat. Notably, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified domestic violent extremism, often rooted in xenophobia and racial resentment, as a significant terrorism-related menace to the United States.
Recognizing the limitations of conventional methods such as policing and surveillance, the CED shifts focus towards psychological approaches. Its goals are twofold: firstly, to identify new, more effective approaches using psychological insight to disengage extremist sentiment, with a specific emphasis on Racially and Ethnically Motivated Forms of Violent Extremism (REMVE) within the United States. Secondly, the directive aims to develop methods to foster community resilience, thereby mitigating the further proliferation of extremist sentiment. Through these targeted efforts, the CED seeks to confront and address the growing threat posed by extremism in contemporary society.