We offer the following services for the UCSF research community – both UCSF research teams engaging community partners in their work, and community members partnering with UCSF researchers. We offer consultation about the theories, methodologies, and methods used to conduct research with the aim of understanding, interrogating, and dismantling discrimination in health, science, and society. We also offer consultation that is aimed to support teams looking to address discrimination that is embedded in our research processes.
All research focused on humans or the clinic, should be mindful and intentional about both the social implications of the research and the social structures that have shaped the research context. Anti-Discrimination, by which we mean social theory and critical methods, should be embedded at all stages of the research process, from conception, design, implementation, and dissemination of results. It can be a powerful and important tool in all kinds of research: qualitative, quantitative, clinical and lab sciences.
A list of some of the ways in which the consultation service can assist in your research are listed below. The first hour of the consultation is supported by CTSI. Contact us now!
Getting Started
- Identifying a theoretical framework or epistemology
- Developing research questions
- Identifying and learning critical methodologies
- Study Design
- Finding funding sources
- Grant writing
- Collaborating across disciplines and with community partners
- Providing mentorship & training
Data Collection and Analysis
- Implementing critical theories and methodologies
- Translating critical theories and methodologies to new contexts
- Partnering with community members and organizations in anti-discrimination research
- Developing data collection instruments (surveys, interview guides, focus group guides, etc) grounded in social theory and critical approaches.
- Creating new strategies during data collection
- Analyzing and interpreting data through the lens of critical social theory
- Partnering with community to analyze data
- Training investigators and staff in critical methodologies
Dissemination & Action Steps
- Establishing authorship guidelines
- Identify academic journals that publish this type of research
- Engaging the community with research findings
- Conducting alternative community-based dissemination
- Writing for multiple audiences
- Working with the media
- Implementing advocacy - local, state, national
This service is free for the entire consultation period.
Our consultations can take shape in many ways:
CONSULTATIONS
We can offer hour-long consultations on discrete questions like: identifying a critical theory or methodology; identifying funding sources; developing a dissemination strategy; preparing for an internal grant submission.
COACHING
If more extensive involvement is desired, we can offer ongoing support for research teams interested in building the capacity to do critical research, often over a series of 4-6 meetings, usually focused on the development of the research.
TRAINING AND RESOURCES:
We are developing a curriculum on critical social theory and methodologies. We can give presentations to your lab, research group, department, or other organization. Coming soon: online guides and information.
