Background
Beginning in July 2021, the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) merged and was renamed the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Research Consultants (DEI RC). This conglomerate comprises twelve individuals living across the United States with varying levels of education, professional, and lived experiences. The DEI RC are part-time Florida State University employees. The group convenes virtually once a month and checks in weekly via a messaging application for business. This workgroup receives mentorship, professional development, and valuable working experience in the research field.
The BATLab would like to acknowledge the former staff members who led and facilitated the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and Youth Advisory Council (YAC) at various points from 2016 – 2021 before the DEI RC merge. Thank you to Karina Soni, Drew McGee, Afua Osei, and Skye Wilson. We sincerely thank them for their exemplary service.
The DEI RC’s Role
The DEI RC provides consultation on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, research materials and processes, and social media trends within various studies in the Behavior and Technology Lab (BATLab) at UNC-Chapel Hill. Additionally, members have the flexibility to create audio, visual, and written content that is available to participants in different research studies, and they assist with participant engagement in forums.
Goals
The short-term goals are to continue expanding content creation and dissemination efforts, increasing group diversity, building and strengthening community partnerships, and maintaining consistent advisement on study designs.
Structure
The formation of this group is unique in that many, if any, research institutions have not yet progressed in utilizing this approach. The BATLab has sought out and hired young professionals that reflect the target demographic of the studies, which, in turn, enhances the projects and cultivates a reciprocal working relationship for folx from marginalized backgrounds.
Interested in Consulting with the DEI RC?