Reducing meat intake to mitigate climate change and improve health
Wellcome Trust
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) suffer most from the consequences of broken food systems (Petersen et al., 2019) and climate change (Morello-Frosch et al., 2009) yet are underrepresented among research leaders working to address such issues (National Science Foundation, 2018; Pearson & Schuldt, 2014). The Nutrition Research Scholars Program (NRSP) aims to build a pipeline of BIPOC scholars to become leaders in food, health, and climate research to inform policy. Our activity will involve implementation of the pilot NRSP providing BIPOC students interested in nutrition and climate with research experience and mentorship from leaders in nutrition and food policy. We will implement a 12-week summer NRSP for two BIPOC undergraduate students to build research and professional development skills and prepare for matriculation in a PhD program. Short-term indicators of success will include objective measures (e.g., total professional development workshops and networking meetings attended) and subjective measures (e.g., satisfaction with the NRSP). Long-term indicators will include continuation of an annual NRSP, total scholars matriculating in related PhD programs, and development of a network of BIPOC scholars working with our research group. Upon successful completion of the pilot, we will expand the program to other research groups within the UNC Department of Nutrition; disseminate program findings at nutrition conferences; and build sustainability by incorporating funding for NRSP scholars in grant proposals. With time, the NRSP will foster a pipeline of BIPOC nutrition scholars pursuing graduate training to work as researchers at the nexus of food policy, health, and environmental change.
No Research Activity assigned