ERIC Number: ED625985
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Sep
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2378-7996
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Need for a Diverse Environmental Justice Workforce: Using Applied Research to Understand the Impacts of Harmful Environmental Exposures in Vulnerable and Underserved Communities. Occasional Paper. RTI Press Publication OP-0078-2209
Harrington, James M.; Hawkins, Stephanie; Lang, Michelle; Bodnar, Wanda M.; Alberico, Claudia; Rios-Colon, Leslimar; Levine, Keith E.; Fernando, Reshan A.; Niture, Suryakant; Terry, Tamara; Kumar, Deepak
RTI International
Protecting all people from the harmful effects of environmental exposures relies on the coordinated efforts of scientific researchers, regulatory agencies, legislators, and the public. Environmental justice addresses the disproportionate impact that harmful environmental exposures have on individuals and communities who are minoritized and marginalized. It has long been known that environmental problems disproportionately impact these groups; however, addressing these problems has been impeded by structural racism and other biases. Developing effective interventions to eliminate these disparities requires a more diverse and inclusive modern workforce produced by a bottom-up approach beginning with education and professional development of the next generation of researchers. The most effective approaches to addressing inequities rely on active input from impacted populations to ensure cultural and social acceptance and adoption of interventions. Credibly pursuing these efforts in a sustainable, inclusive manner will require a concerted shift in workforce demography. One potential strategy to address these workforce disparities features academic-industry partnerships with targeted professional development programs aimed at minoritized and underserved populations. [This paper was supported by strategic funds from the University Collaboration Office at RTI International and North Carolina Central University.]
Descriptors: Conservation (Environment), Social Justice, Diversity, Labor Force, Research, Disadvantaged, Hazardous Materials, Environmental Influences, Minority Groups, Power Structure, Intervention, Professional Development, Sciences, Careers, STEM Careers, STEM Education, Career Pathways
RTI International. P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Tel: 919-541-6000; e-mail: publications@rti.org; Web site: https://www.rti.org
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: RTI International
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A