The Feminist Research Institute will be offering the research training series, Asking Different Questions in Fall 2021 on Wednesdays from 12-1:30 pm. While the program targets UC Davis graduate students and postdocs, we are letting in a limited number of UCD undergraduate students, faculty and research staff. Researchers from other institutions may apply as well and join for a fee of $1,000 (discounts for those with financial need available). This program will take place virtually.

Those interested can apply online. We welcome applicants from all disciplines. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through Sept 22nd unless the training fills prior to that.

Asking Different Questions provides researchers with a commitment to justice with the intellectual tools to follow through on their values. Read more about the program.

The attrition of BIPOC (Black & Indigenous People of color) from STEM disciplines, as well as severe gaps in research and knowledge that disproportionately harm BIPOC, are a mandate to improve research culture and the knowledge it produces. The Asking Different Questions Scholars will be equipped with the tools to rethink how norms are replicated and how research questions are determined -- necessary steps to creating more diverse STEM fields. ADQ Scholars will have explicit conversations about research culture and practices and learn how to integrate the experiences and values of those historically excluded from the university.

Participants will:

• Attend weekly 1.5 hour workshops where they will learn insights from decades of work in feminist science studies and critical race science studies.
• Have facilitated conversations about research culture and practices and learn how to integrate the experiences and values of those historically excluded from the university.
• Apply lessons learned to their research and training.
• Find community with researchers who share justice-oriented values.
• Receive one or two unit of credit (UCD graduate and undergraduate students only).

Workshop topics include:

• Identity and Belonging in Science
• Identifying Bias in Scientific Research and Training
• Making More Accurate Knowledge
• Moving from Asking Different Questions to Action-Oriented Change
• Norms of Research
• Valuing Community Expertise in Research
• And more…

You can view previous Asking Different Questions research training series on YouTube.