Director of Sustainability at Carleton Inclusive, Interdisciplinary, & Collaborative Approaches to Climate Action & Environmental Justice
Hurray! The Metal Redlining Network will soon be featured in chapter 19 in the Handbook of Broader Impacts (editors Susan Reno & Laurie Van Egeren). This work continues to inform how I think about designing for impact. How can we collaborate & reinforce student learning & change where we live? Coproducing Research to Advance Environmental Justice Outcomes for Broader Impacts: The Metal Redlining Network Sarah K. Fortner, Hannah H. Scherer, Melisa A. Diaz, Kenneth L. Brown, Cynthia M. Fadem, Carmen A. Nezat, Jennifer C. Latimer, Sue C. Ebanks, and Kim J. Landsbergen Abstract There is a need for academics to more actively work for student and community outcomes. We initiated a Community of Practice to engage for environmental justice through community-engaged research and education. As a Community of Practice, the Metal Redlining Network (MRN) developed a shared research goal, methods, and a commitment to discussing our concerns navigating health- and racial justice-sensitive research within our work as educators and mentors of undergraduates. Together 9 educators and mentors engaged across 7 college campuses in 8 cities. Our network was motivated by a commitment to reducing lead poisoning and advancing environmental justice. By committing to an ongoing discussion of our education, research, and engagement choices, we established positive feedbacks for learning and motivation that helped us advance our coproduction approaches, even when the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. The MRN serves as a model for shifting research in isolation of community to planning with community for comprehensive impacts. Through our actions we specifically support NSF broader impact outcomes of: 1) full participation of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM; 2) scientific literacy and public engagement with STEM; 3) improved well-being of individuals in society; and 4) the development of a diverse, globally competitive workforce, prepared for environmental justice problem-solving.
