OU Researchers to Study Impacts of Inequities in Research, Creative Activities

NORMAN, OKLA. – Eleven research projects led by University of Oklahoma researchers will receive internal funding to study topics that address inequities in academic research and creative activity.

“The Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships on the OU Norman campus is funding these short-term projects that position OU faculty and their collaborators to effectively compete for significant external funding opportunities related to the impact of social inequities on knowledge creation and dissemination,” said Vice President for Research and Partnerships Tomás Díaz de la Rubia.

The awarded research projects are expected to produce findings or outcomes that have direct impact on this critically important issue while positioning the researchers to be competitive for extramural funding from the federal and state governments and private foundations. Engaging student researchers was also encouraged.

“The selection committee looked for research teams who presented compelling research ideas, approaches and solutions that would address contemporary issues related to inequities in the academic research and creative activity enterprise, such as discrimination and implicit bias related to race, gender, class, age, sexual orientation and disabilities, particularly in disciplines and fields where minoritized groups are underrepresented,” said Associate Vice President for Research and Partnerships Ann West.

The projects and principal investigators  awarded are:

• Zermarie Deacon, associate professor in the Department of Human Relations, College of Arts and Sciences, for “Understanding intersectional inequalities in postsecondary education: Education, retention, connectedness, black women, and STEM.” (coPIs: Handan Acar, School of Biomedical Engineering, and Dorothy Nkhata, Oklahoma State University)
• Diane Horm, professor and director of the Early Childhood Education Institute, for “Inequities start early: Secondary analysis to investigate associations among neighborhood factors and the development of executive function in young children.” (coPIs: Sherri Castle, Shinyoung Jeon, Liz Frechette, Early Childhood Education Institute and OU-Tulsa)
• Jeff Kelly, professor in the Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, for “Effectiveness of computing in modern biology workshops for broadening participation in STEM.” (coPIs: Sara Mata, Hayley Lanier, Katie Marske, Laura Stein and Department of Biology)
• Petra Klein, professor in the School of Meteorology and executive associate dean in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences, for “Identifying inequities and cultural biases within A&GS to facilitate inclusivity and improving student experiences.” (coPIs: Elinor Martin, School of Meteorology; Cassandra Shivers-Williams, Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies; Daphne Ladue, Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms; and Scott Green, Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability)
• Keri Kornelson, professor in the Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, for “Exploring the intersection of DEI values and faculty research evaluation processes at OU.” (coPI: Megan Elwood Madden, Department of Geosciences, Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy)
• Georgia Kosmopoulou, professor in the Department of Economics and associate dean for research in the College of Arts and Sciences, for “Mapping professional networks and rewarded behaviors in faculty research evaluation in STEM fields at OU.” (coPIs: Amy Cerato, School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, and Mashhad Fahes, School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering)
• C. Aujean Lee, assistant professor in the Division of Regional and City Planning, Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture, for “Systemic racial and gender disparities in the academic research enterprise and hiring networks in an applied field: A case study of urban planning.”
• Aparna Nair, assistant professor in the Department of the History of Science, College of Arts and Sciences, for “Not disposable: Disability, ableism and stigma in Oklahoma.” (coPIs: Erin Taylor, Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council; Laura Martin, Oklahoma Historical Society; and Ronald Schleifer, Department of English, College of Arts and Sciences)
• Talayeh Razzaghi, assistant professor in the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Gallogly College of Engineering, for “Machine learning methods to understand and identify health disparity outcomes among women in minority groups.” (coPI: Zuber Mulla, Texas Tech University)
• Deborah Richards, assistant professor in the Division of Architecture, Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture, for “Community led policy and design: A multidisciplinary think tank.” (coPIs: Andrea Benjamin, Department of African and African American Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, and Vanessa Morrison, College of Architecture, Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture)
• Natalie Youngbull, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, for “Understanding the unique experiences of intersectional faculty.” (coPIs: Lori Snyder, Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, and Jill Irvine, Department of International and Area Studies, David L. Boren College of International Studies)

Additional information related to the review process can be found via the Office of the Vice President for Research Partnerships website.