The TRACE Lab at UMD is committed to advancing equity, justice, and inclusive excellence in all aspects of our research, training, and partnerships. Our work at the intersection of environment, health, and society is guided by the following practices:

 

Collaborate and publish equitably.
We prioritize co-developing research projects and co-authoring manuscripts with scientists from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and colleagues who identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). For studies involving primary data collection in LMICs, TRACE Lab publications will include in-country collaborators as co-authors to recognize their leadership, contextual expertise, and contributions.

 

Support early career researchers.
We create opportunities for BIPOC and LMIC students and scientists to lead or co-lead manuscripts as first or co-first authors, and we provide mentorship in scientific writing, analysis, and publishing.

 

Write grants with equity in mind.
We actively seek funding in partnership with BIPOC and LMIC collaborators and build budgets that:

- Include adequate salary support for BIPOC and LMIC collaborators, students, and staff.

- Support local stakeholder engagement throughout the research lifecycle, from study design to community dissemination.

- Fund training opportunities (e.g., molecular lab skills, environmental sampling, epidemiologic methods, bioinformatics) for early-career researchers from underrepresented and LMIC backgrounds.

 

Recruit and train a diverse team.
The TRACE Lab actively recruits undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds and LMICs. We advertise open positions on networks and listservs that reach diverse applicants and strive to foster a lab environment that supports diverse lived experiences.

 

Cite and amplify underrepresented voices.
We make a deliberate effort to cite and discuss the work of BIPOC and LMIC scholars in our manuscripts, journal clubs, and teaching materials.
 

Foster critical reflection. 

We create space for informed, ongoing conversations about power, privilege, anti-racism, decolonizing global health, and equity in international research partnerships.