Exploring the Impact of Building a Community of Latina Scholars

• In Event: Roundtable: Experiences, Challenges, and Prospects Among Tenure-Track Latina/o Faculty in Navigating Academia

Abstract

The Latina Researchers Network was founded in 2012 in response to the underrepresentation of historically disadvantaged populations with advanced degrees and in support of examining the barriers and opportunities for advancement in research and academic positions. Since then, it has grown to over 3,000 scholars, researchers, evaluators, academic leaders and junior investigators across the United States. Toward this effort, it seeks to provide professional development opportunities that highlight how researchers from under-represented groups approach groundbreaking and innovative research related to vulnerable populations, showcase the work of leading Latina researchers and other activist scholars and how their research influences social policy. This paper seeks to highlight how building a supportive multidisciplinary community of diverse scholars and allies to advance research and community-based solutions can improve recruitment and retention of underrepresented faculty and students in academia and research careers.

Author

• Shirley Leyro, Borough of Manhattan Community College, CUNY