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Reimagining a summer research program during COVID: Strategies for enhancing research workforce diversity.
Brenda L Eakin1, Phillip A Ianni1, Christy Byks-Jazayeri1
1Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Clinical research training programs can successfully pivot to remote formats, enhancing diversity and inclusion. Students reported positive experiences in both in-person and remote settings, with remote participation increasing Black or African American student involvement.
Area of Science:
- Health Professions Education
- Clinical and Translational Science
- Diversity in Research
Background:
- Short-term research training programs are crucial for recruiting and retaining underrepresented individuals in clinical and translational research.
- Diversifying the research workforce is essential for addressing health disparities and improving patient outcomes.
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid adaptation of educational programs, including research training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the transition of a summer research training program from an in-person to a fully remote format in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To evaluate the impact of remote versus in-person formats on student learning experiences and program inclusivity.
- To assess changes in diversity metrics, particularly the participation of Black or African American students, in the remote format.
Main Methods:
- A comparative analysis of student data from three in-person cohorts (2017-2019) and two remote cohorts (2020-2021) of a summer research training program.
- Collection and evaluation of student learning experiences and program feedback across different formats.
- Focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) factors, including enabling remote research participation.
Main Results:
- Students in both in-person and remote formats viewed the program favorably.
- Students in the remote cohorts rated certain program aspects more favorably than those in the in-person format.
- The remote format saw increased participation from students identifying as Black or African American compared to the in-person format.
Conclusions:
- A fully remote format is a viable and effective alternative for delivering short-term clinical and translational research training.
- Remote program delivery can enhance diversity and inclusion by increasing participation from underrepresented groups.
- Lessons learned from this transition can inform future program design and remote educational strategies in research training.
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