Challenges of Research with AAPI Communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Translational Research and Policy Implications

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Abstract

The Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) is a diverse group, representing more than 30 different ethnic/nationalities with various reasons for coming to the United States. In the 1960s, student activists created the term, “Asian American,” to transcend the complicated historical conflicts people inherit from their home countries to promote a unified front; nevertheless, individuals’ affinity often remains at the level of race, ethnicity, or language. Thus, as Nguyen (2021) argues, “One is not born an Asian American. It’s an identity that is inherently political and must be chosen.”
Despite the resurgence of efforts to more strongly and visibly advocate for the AAPI issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, many AAPI individuals continued to face barriers that led to reluctance in speaking up. This tendency of AAPI to not only be silenced, but also silence themselves, is apparent in multiple areas, including representations in research. In this roundtable, the members of the SRCD Asian Caucus Social Policy Sub-committee will lead discussions surrounding how we can better elevate diverse AAPI voices to be represented in advocacy research. The speakers and the moderator represent a diverse AAPI group (five heritage countries) in geographic regions across the United States (West Coast, Midwest, East Coast, International).

Tomoko Wakabayashi, Ed.D., Chair of the SRCD Asian Caucus Social Policy Sub-committee will serve as a moderator.

SRCD Asian Caucus Social Policy Sub-committee members will serve as panelists:
Tzu-Fen Chang, Ph.D.; Sunah Hyun, Ph.D.; Gabrielle Lai, Ph.D.; and Puja Patel.

Sub Unit

• Diversity, Equity & Social Justice

Moderator

• Tomoko Wakabayashi, Oakland University

Panelists

• Tzu-Fen Chang, California State University, Bakersfield

• Sunah Hyun, Tufts University

• Gabrielle Lai, National Institute of Education

• Puja Patel, University of North Carolina at Greensboro