44 Seminar series on Anti-Racism in Data and Analysis

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The mission of our new Anti-racism in Data and Analysis seminar series is to provide a forum for researchers to discuss the ways that race and racism show up in data and analysis so that we as scientists may work together to advance racial equity and justice in society. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Our CTSA’s Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Program has initiated a seminar series that focuses on the ways that race and racism show up in all phases of the research process. We have hosted guest speakers who have shared their cutting-edge research as well as their reflections on race in research, and have facilitated breakout discussions to provide a forum for researchers to discuss specific questions. Our seminars are intended for practicing clinicians, clinical and population researchers, basic scientists, students, and others. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We have sponsored three discussion-based seminars and two guest speaker seminars, and have several seminars of each type in the planning stages. We have collaborated with another CTSA to sponsor a discussion-based seminar at their institution, thus outfitting them with the tools to initiate a seminar series of their own. Our seminars have been extremely well attended, attracting researchers from a broad base of departments at our institution, from students to full professors. Feedback has been very positive; complaints cluster around paucity of similar opportunities, and students have asked why such material is not included as a required part of their respective training programs. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Race and racism permeate research, and failure to recognize and address the issues involved perpetuates racism in our society. Researchers want to learn more, but there are few opportunities for them to do so. Our seminar series provides one such forum to researchers at our institution and beyond.