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Health Equity Research

Why?

The content of your curriculum (presentations, case studies, syllabus readings, examples, etc) sets expectations as to what is the “norm” in your field.

Are you perpetuating stereotypes?

Are you influencing who your science is "for"?

We want to increase the diversity of voices we cite so that we can:
•    Widen the breadth of perspectives
•    Increase the visibility of authors from diverse backgrounds
•    Increase student engagement
•    Counter bias

Reflecting on your content

•    What is the demographic profile of authors on the syllabus?
•    What is the effect of this on the diversity of views with which the students are presented? 
•    What is the effect of this on student engagement? 
•    Is the profile of authors acknowledged and examined as part of the learning aims and outcomes of the syllabus?

SOAS Learning and Teaching Toolkit
 

Expand the scope of your search

Consult a wider range of journals or textbooks for source materials.

Remember that databases other than PubMed exist. Due to publication bias, the databases and journals you consult may be more likely to publish studies from higher income countries

Add these concepts to your search

Read articles about pedagogy in your field which speak to questions of diversity, equity, justice and inclusion.

Search for your topic +

  • Diversity
  • Critical (theory, education, thinking)
  • Race
  • Gender
  • Disability
  • Class
  • Power relations
  • Antiracist
  • Etc - snowball

Consult experts

How do I identify a "diverse" author?

Researchers often use computer programs or prediction algorithms. Use your own judgement as to whether these methods could be helpful for your project or harmful. Always evaluate your results and reflect on your own bias, in addition to whatever assumptions your program is using.

  • Use first names, geographical information to infer author gender or race
  • Censuses
  • Social media data
  • Interviews with native speakers and experts
  • Flag unisex names
  • Online research
  • Lists of known scholars
  • Examples
    • genderizeR
    • Gender.c
    • genderize.io
    • wru (race/ethnicity)

Gender Balance Assessment Tool (GBAT)

Resources from the NIH

Call to action

  • Some disciplines have great resources (geophysics, philosophy, environmental studies) because people like YOU have started curating resources
  • Is your discipline missing?
  • What is the next step?
    • Will you make author characteristics known implicitly (author names, photos, profiles) or explicitly (make it a part of the conversation)?
    • Track your sources
    • Add to your individual and department performance goals