Racial affinity caucuses as anti-racist pedagogy in an epidemiology course

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology Education
• Anti-racism Pedagogy

Background:

• Virtual anti-racism journal clubs were implemented in epidemiology to address systemic inequities.
• Student feedback indicated a need to address dominant voices in discussions.
• Racial affinity caucuses (RACs) were introduced as a pedagogical intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the process and determinants of implementing RACs using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).
• To identify how racism operated within the intervention using the Public Health Critical Race Praxis (PHCRP).
• To evaluate student perceptions of overall course effectiveness and RAC intervention efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Anonymous course evaluations and qualitative student comments were analyzed.
• The CFIR framework was used to assess implementation factors.
• The PHCRP was employed to critically examine racism within the intervention context.

Main Results:

• The overall course effectiveness was rated highly (average 4.8/5).
• The RAC intervention effectiveness was rated positively (average 3.7/5).
• Students endorsed RACs as an innovation supporting BIPOC students, noting implementation barriers and facilitators.

Conclusions:

• Anti-racism praxis, including RACs, can foster effective classroom learning in epidemiology.
• Flexibility, humility, courage, and learning from failure are crucial for implementing anti-racism interventions.
• Despite challenges, the intervention demonstrated success in supporting marginalized voices and promoting critical engagement.