Transforming how we conduct research to have greater impact on dismantling systems.
Equity-centered methodology requires transforming power relationships so that the voices of those with lived experiences and who have historically been excluded from having power in the research process are centered. Researchers should critically examine their backgrounds and personal biases, understand how biases in traditional research methods perpetuate oppression, and learn new practices that redesign research so that the process leads to liberation. We train researchers and community members in equity-centered methodology to deconstruct the entire system of research which was created under white supremacy.
Key Objectives
The Equity Capacity Building Hub facilitates leadership in equity-centered and culturally responsive methods by transforming research and community engagement practices through training and mentorship. We:
- Provide training and consultation with researchers to ensure they have access to the latest innovations in equity-centered and culturally responsive research practices and methods.
- Provide holistic mentorship and resources to RTI’s Emerging Equity Scholars, an annual cohort of people from groups that are underrepresented in research careers who will thrive as they transform their fields with excellence and vibrancy.
- Provide intensive cohort training experience as well as providing monthly topic-centered workshops to RTI staff to support researchers in applying an equity and culturally responsive lens to conduct equity-centered research.
- Elevate community-engaged research methods that value the assets and expertise of the community by supporting RTI staff to work collaboratively with community-based organizations in developing community informed research questions, developing community scholars who are rooted in the community and engaging communities to build community capacity. The community-engaged research activities will serve to shape new narratives about communities, provide opportunities for economic development and serve as a model to inform RTI staff of equitable and inclusive research.
Our Team
Nitya Venkateswaran, Equity Research Training
Nitya Venkateswaran, Equity Research Training
Nitya Venkateswaran, Ph.D., has a decade of experience researching the implementation of K-12 and postsecondary education initiatives and practices to transform student outcomes using qualitative methods. Dr. Venkateswaran was Leader for Equitable Evaluation and Diversity scholar and is committed to using culturally responsive and equitable evaluation methods to dismantle oppressive systems through her research and evaluation work. She has enhanced inclusion and belonging at RTI as the Asian American Employee Resource Group co-lead.
Jay Feldman, Equity Research Training
Jay Feldman, Equity Research Training
Jay Feldman, Ph.D., has 27 years of K-16 education evaluation experience. He specializes in developmental and equity-centered evaluation approaches. He has consistently sought to push practice and strategy in his work, shifting practices so that they are more fully in service of equity, and crafting innovative approaches to examine and address complex critical issues. His goal as an evaluator is to support communities in their drive for meaningful change.
Monica Sheppard, Emerging Equity Scholars Program
Monica Sheppard, Emerging Equity Scholars Program
Monica Sheppard, MSW, is an RTI research analyst who works closely with Dr. Megan Comfort and other RTI experts. Her work includes qualitative data collection projects related to the criminal legal system, racial disparities, and reentry and victim-centered studies. She is a co-chair at RTI’s D&I Committee, a member of the Racial Equity Council and the Racial and Community Justice Committee of the APPR project. Ms. Sheppard also is a co-chair of a BERG subcommittee, RTI’s Black Employee Resource Group.
Megan Comfort, Emerging Equity Scholars Program
Megan Comfort, Emerging Equity Scholars Program
Megan Comfort, Ph.D., is a sociologist whose research focuses on improving the health and well-being of people involved in the criminal legal system and advancing community-informed approaches to racial equity and justice. She uses her expertise in qualitative methods to collaborate with quantitative researchers, people who have experienced incarceration and their family members, frontline practitioners, and other creative thinkers. Dr. Comfort works with other TRUE colleagues to develop intersectional mentorship practices to holistically support the professional trajectories of junior staff who belong to groups that are historically underrepresented in research careers.
Janelle Armstrong-Brown, Village Of Impactful Community Engagement
Janelle Armstrong-Brown, Village Of Impactful Community Engagement
Dr. Janelle Armstrong-Brown is a Social Behavioral Scientist at RTI where she evaluates programs that seek to reduce heath disparities and inequities. She identifies ways, in and outside of the professional work setting, to promote equal opportunities for all. Her 10 years of experience include evaluating programs that seek to reduce health disparities impacting historically marginalized communities. She is the project director for Evaluation Studies IDIQ contract and provides quality oversight for multiple evaluation task orders with the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA).
