About this session

Wednesday, 1:45 PM - 3:15 PM

Advancing Anti-Racist Developmental Science among Marginalized Youth in Research on Sociocultural Contexts and Identities

In recent years, developmental science has seen an influx of publications pushing the field to conduct anti-racist research that can help dismantle systems of oppression to support the development of marginalized youth (e.g., Cooper et al., 2022; Wray-Lake et al., 2022). Key tenets of anti-racist research is the recognition of race as a social construct and the ubiquitous and enduring nature of racism as one social force driving inequities (Iruka et al., 2022; Kornbluh et al., 2021). Further, anti-racist research decenters whiteness and brings into focus the strengths that marginalized groups possess to recognize and affirm their basic humanity. Importantly, research adopting an anti-racist lens uses frameworks that advance nuanced perspectives on the systemic mechanisms (e.g., racism, sexism) operating in youths’ contexts (e.g., home, school, neighborhood, online, policy) to shape their development (Garcia Coll et al., 1996; Iruka et al., 2022). This conversation roundtable will focus on how researchers studying sociocultural contexts (e.g., discrimination in schools) and identities (e.g., ethnic-racial) can engage in equity-centered decision-making to infuse their research practice with anti-racist theory and methodology that can help disrupt and dismantle systemic oppression. Early career panelists will draw on their background and training in research and interventions to discuss practical tools to advance anti-racist developmental science in mixed-methods, interdisciplinary, community-based, and youth-led research approaches, as well as interventions to heal racial trauma. The audience will gain perspectives and tools that center and celebrate marginalized youths’ cultural and sociopolitical identities and support their wellness and liberation.

Session moderator
Naila Antonia Smith, University of Virginia

Panelists
Channing Mathews, University of Virginia, United States
Farzana Saleem, Stanford University, United States
Barbara Thelamour, Swarthmore College, United States
Tennisha Riley, University of Florida, United States

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