LEADERS: Leveraging and Enhancing Aging Diversity and Equity in Research and Science
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Project Abstract Due to structural racism as a driver of systematic discrimination in access to quality primary care, chronic disease management, and economic hardship, Black, Indigenous, and older adults of color experience a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, and disability when compared to white older adults. Enhancing diversity and representation within scientific disciplines is one strategy that can overcome health disparities and achieve healthy aging. The goal of LEADERS (Leveraging and Enhancing Aging Diversity and Equity in Research and Science) is to provide tailored research experiences; foundational education; dynamic professional development and networking; and robust community engagement for underrepresented minority (URM) undergraduate students entering the 2nd or 3rd year of their studies from across the U.S. Relying on established infrastructure via the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation (CHAI), the Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-Term Care & Aging (RLK Chair), and a range of other institutional resources/partnerships at the University of Minnesota (UMN), the principal objective of LEADERS is to increase the diversity of gerontological scientists. We will successfully identify four cohorts of 8-10 URM undergraduate students (n = 32 to 40) to participate in a 14-month educational/training program that includes an 8-week in-person session at UMN (Summer 1), continues with a virtual monthly meeting series during the ensuing Academic Year; and concludes with a second 8-week in-person summer session at UMN (Summer 2). The Specific Aims of LEADERS are to have its scholars: 1) Successfully participate in tailored educational activities of LEADERS to build knowledge of aging science; 2) Develop a research question, topic, and dissemination product in the science of aging; and 3) Conduct community-engaged scholarship. LEADERS scholars will build upon the educational and community-immersive experiences of Summer 1 to engage in a scientific curriculum during the Academic Year period that culminates in an intensive research placement experience in Summer 2. Following these robust and tailored educational and training experiences, LEADERS scholars will disseminate a scientific paper or presentation to a regional and/or national conference (e.g., the Gerontological Society of America). LEADERS directly responds to PAR-24-135 by addressing the National Institute on Aging’s goals of increasing diversity in aging science. LEADERS scholars will leverage the considerable infrastructure at UMN to build their self-efficacy, scholarly identity, and career intent to achieve the goal of advancing representation in gerontological science and, ultimately, health equity in aging.
