About this session

Thursday, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Leading a Research Team with an Equity Lens

Researchers at all career stages must navigate challenges of leading teams, despite often not having received formal training on leadership or mentoring. Scholars aiming to lead with an equity perspective may face additional challenges as traditional approaches may conflict with principles of equity, inclusion, and antiracism. Yet, leading research teams while incorporating diverse perspectives and prioritizing equity can yield more impactful, high-quality research that benefits both the scientific community and broader public.

This professional development session will discuss mentoring and leading research teams with equity goals at the forefront. We will explore the overarching question: How can developmental scholars lead diverse research teams in a way that prioritizes equity and inclusion? The session will focus on fostering diversity, multiculturalism, and belonging within team dynamics and research activities, including those with external community partners. The session, moderated by Dr. Nada Goodrum, includes academic researchers across career stages and research settings: Dr. Funlola Are, Dr. Sierra Carter, Dr. Maria Galano, and Dr. Noelle Hurd.

Panelists will share practical strategies to create equitable opportunities for team members, address power imbalances, and integrate diverse perspectives to enhance the quality and impact of the research. Topics will include recruiting and retaining team members from diverse and historically marginalized backgrounds, addressing power imbalances and fostering shared decision-making, ensuring equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, applying inclusive research methods such as community-engaged approaches, enhancing cultural humility, engaging in mentorship and sponsorship for equity, and implementing accountability for leaders.