B-TEAM

“It is true that masses of men have not even begun to look at the ways that patriarchy keeps them from knowing themselves, from being in touch with their feelings, from loving.” - Bell Hooks

To request a workshop for your student group, fill out this form


What is B-TEAM?

The B-TEAM program (formerly called Masculinity Peer Education) consists of student educators who are passionate about helping their peers explore the ways in which we are socialized with regards to gender and how that socialization process can be harmful to ourselves and others. We typically work with pre-existing communities at Brown to deliver workshops tailored to the needs of the group.

Our approach focuses on the following foundational concepts:

  • Examining the ways we learn gender

  • Unpacking male privilege

  • Building empathy and understanding

  • Acknowledging harm and promoting healing

  • Confronting histories of gendered harm in group spaces

  • Fostering generative and nurturing interpersonal relationships

We created B-TEAM because most folks have never thoughtfully examined what healthier norms of masculinity can and should look like. That is particularly true for folks who hold considerable societal privilege. Modern society is quick to bestow unearned privilege on cisgender men. There is nothing in place to teach men––young men especially––how to avoid abusing that privilege or how to leverage it for good. While intersecting identities mean that not all men enjoy the same level of privilege, it is in everyone’s interest to combat patriarchy and toxic notions of masculinity. Folks of all genders are taught to accept the gender binary as a biological imperative that can never be questioned when, in fact, the gender binary is a social construct that can be dismantled. B-TEAM rejects the notion of the gender binary as the end-all be-all and works to promote a more holistic understanding of oneself encompassing one’s many facets and contradictions.

What does B-TEAM stand for?

Brown Transforming, Exploring, and Affirming Masculinities

Is B-TEAM only for men?

No. While this curriculum and program are geared toward folks who identify as men in any way or in part, we do not require our facilitators to hold a particular gender identity nor do we provide education solely for male audiences. The purpose of this program is to foster reflection, empathy and understanding and that is not a purpose that is well-served by being exclusionary.

What is included in the B-TEAM curriculum?

Any Brown affiliated student group can request a B-TEAM workshop. Our current curriculum includes four foundational modules as well as supplementary modules. The curriculum was written by Brown students for Brown students in collaboration with BWell Professional Staff. The curriculum we use today is the collective product of the dedicated and intentional work of many current and former students and staff and is regularly reviewed and updated. We designed the curriculum to be flexible enough to meet the varying needs of groups and also allow for ongoing education. The foundational modules are:

  • Learning Gender: students examine how gender is learned, what stereotypes and norms are attached to masculinity and femininity, and how those norms play out in their lives

  • Privilege 101: students gain both a tangible definition of privilege and specific examples of male privilege, then reflect on the role privilege plays in their life. Following reflection, individuals work towards developing strategies for engaging with their privilege

  • Empathetic and Vulnerable Connections: students develop an understanding of empathy and the barriers to practicing it, then work together to develop tools to cultivate empathy and practice vulnerability within themselves, their friendships, and their communities

  • TRIZ Group Culture: students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential embodiments of hegemonic masculinity in their own group spaces, interrogate ways in which harmful practices and ideas around masculinity have existed in the group context, and create practical and action-oriented agreements to address hegemonic masculinity within their group.

To request a workshop for your student group, fill out this form. For more information, email [email protected].

How do I get involved?

B-TEAM is open to all students, of all identities and experiences. B-TEAM looks for a diverse group of people to serve as members including those willing to take a critical lens to the work of exploring gender and combating toxic notions of masculinity. While facilitation experience and/or previous knowledge about gender and privilege are beneficial, there are no prerequisites for joining or working with B-TEAM. B-TEAM offers training on the curriculum, background and theory, and facilitation skills, to build the necessary knowledge base and skill set to do this work effectively.

What will I do as a B-TEAM peer educator?

There are two options for engagement with B-TEAM. The two tiers of engagement include:

B-TEAM Facilitator At this level of engagement, members are asked to attend bi-weekly B-TEAM meetings and facilitate up to 2 B-TEAM workshops per semester. Facilitators will receive financial compensation for their work.
B-TEAM Coordinator Coordinators are recruited and selected on an as-needed basis to ensure staffing of 3-4 Coordinators at any given time. The Coordinators lead B-TEAM’s educational efforts, facilitate weekly M101 discussions, plan B-TEAM events, and train new members. Coordinators are asked to attend weekly B-TEAM Coordinator meetings and bi-weekly all-member meetings. Coordinators will receive financial compensation for their work.

**No matter your level of engagement, it is always ok and encouraged to communicate with the B-TEAM supervision team if you feel you need to take a step back for a semester/year.  Your wellbeing matters.**

Where can I learn more?

Please contact [email protected] with any questions!  You can also follow us on Instagram @BTEAM_BrownU or attend an M101 discussion, held weekly when classes are in session.

Thank you so much!