The Metal Redlining Network: science, education, & advocacy

Abstract:

Improving the ability of scientists to support equitable and just outcomes in communities requires new strategies for research and engagement. We describe a new model designed to empower faculty, students, and community participants. The Metal Redlining Network is a cross-city network researching the metal burden in residential and public area in the context of the legacy of structurally racist housing policies and practices. Project goals include: 1) evaluating metal burdens in multiple communities, 2) sharing resources, teaching, and community engagement strategies with each other to advance student and community outcomes. Important to our success is the flexibility to participate in the network in ways that best align with each researcher’s motivation, career stage, and institutional priorities (e.g. advocacy, teaching, and research). We will describe how building a community of practice that operates across institutional and community settings has helped us identify common challenges and navigate engaging students, community members, and decision makers. In particular, metal pollution requires sensitivity for privacy as well as identifying strategies for advancing health justice and policy change. We also reflect on how our work has dynamically shifted in response to the pandemic as our institutional and community priorities change.