Orellana and Co-authors Examine a Program to Improve DEI in the HIV Research Community
Posted: 10/12/2023 (CSDE Research)
CSDE Affiliate Roberto Orellana (Social Work) and co-authors recently published research in the JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, titled “Impact of a Multi-Institutional Initiative to Engage Students and Early-Stage Scholars From Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in HIV Research: The Centers for AIDS Research Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative“. The Centers for AIDS Research Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI) aims to establish programs to develop pathways for successful careers in HIV science among scholars from underrepresented racial and ethnic populations. This article describes cross-site evaluation outcomes during the first 18 months (July 2021-December 2022) across 15 programs. The aims of the evaluation were to characterize participants, describe feasibility, challenges, and successes of the programs and provide a basis for the generalizability of best practices to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in the United States. Two primary data collection methods were used: a quarterly programmatic monitoring process and a centrally managed, individual-level, participant quantitative and qualitative survey. These data provide evidence to support the feasibility and impact of novel DEI programs in HIV research to engage and encourage racially and ethnically diverse scholars to pursue careers in HIV science.