Introduction to J-PAL North America’s Racial Equity Initiative
J-PAL North America is launching a year-long planning period to advance racial equity in its work. The goal is to develop a strategic vision for prioritizing research that addresses racial equity. This initiative includes creating guidance for determining when and how randomized evaluations can advance research related to racial equity, as well as increasing the capacity of researchers to approach research related to racial equity by supporting inclusive research practices.
Developing a Strategic Vision
Throughout this year, J-PAL North America will develop a comprehensive plan to effectively and intentionally prioritize research that addresses racial equity. This plan will outline how to increase the representation and engagement of Black, Latino/a/x, and Indigenous researchers in the J-PAL North America research network. Damon Jones, an associate professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and a J-PAL affiliated researcher, will serve as the scientific advisor for this work and chair a newly established advisory committee.
The Role of the Advisory Committee
The advisory committee will bring expertise in designing, implementing, and communicating about research related to racial equity, as well as diversifying the field of economics. The committee will inform the development of a research strategy that outlines where and how randomized evaluations can advance research related to racial equity. J-PAL North America will prioritize the inclusion of Black, Latino/a/x, and Indigenous researchers who are advancing work related to racial equity in the committee composition.
Increasing Representation and Engagement
Black, Latino/a/x, and Indigenous researchers are underrepresented in the field of economics and in J-PAL North America’s research network. To address this, J-PAL North America will revise its researcher nomination process to increase inclusion of Black, Latino/a/x, and Indigenous researchers in its network. This will lay the groundwork for greater representation among economists in its network, ensuring that policymaking reflects the realities and needs of communities of color.
Prioritizing Research Related to Racial Equity
Research related to racial equity is underfunded and under-prioritized in the field of economics. J-PAL North America will develop guidance to prioritize research related to racial equity, racism, and racial disparities, while also creating guidance for considering when randomized evaluations are — and are not — appropriate to address topics related to racial equity.
Supporting Inclusive Research Practices
J-PAL North America will leverage its experience with developing and disseminating research resources to increase the capacity of researchers in utilizing inclusive research practices. The Researching Racial Equity blog series will highlight practices, methods, and tools to support ethical randomized evaluations that mitigate bias and promote racial equity. Previous resources developed by J-PAL North America include inclusive language guidelines, which help researchers convey an understanding and appreciation of diverse experiences to promote equity and bolster the accuracy and accessibility of research findings.
Conclusion
J-PAL North America’s initiative to advance racial equity in its work is a crucial step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable field of economics. By developing a strategic vision, increasing representation and engagement, prioritizing research related to racial equity, and supporting inclusive research practices, J-PAL North America is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of communities of color. The development of this strategic vision is made possible through support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and readers interested in learning more about this work can contact Senior Research Manager Noreen Giga.
