Research with Marginalized Communities: Challenges to Continuity During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Authors: Sevelius, J.M., Zamudio-Haas, S. McCree, B., Ngo, A., Jackson, A., Clynes, C., Venegas, L., Salinas, A., Herrera, C., Stein, E., Operario, D., Gamarel, K.

Presenters include: Akira Jackson, Arianna Salinas, Azize Ngo, Breonna McCree, Carla Clynes, Luz Venegas, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, & Jae M. Sevelius

Marginalized communities are those excluded from mainstream social, economic, educational, and/or cultural life. Examples of marginalized populations include, but are not limited to, groups excluded due to race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, language, and/or immigration status. Marginalization occurs due to unequal power relationships between social groups.  Conducting research in partnership with marginalized groups has inherent challenges. Traditional academic research can reenact and reinforce stigma and power imbalances, even if inadvertently, and marginalization itself can limit the ability of certain groups to participate meaningfully in research.

The recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has caused massive disruptions in the lives of people all over the globe, and has brought research focused on addressing health inequities, such as HIV, largely to a halt.  Further, the pandemic and the related shutdown of many systems, including community-based clinics, resources, and support services, is further exacerbating the experience of marginalization for many communities. In transgender and gender diverse communities within which our team works, we are seeing this play out in our reduced ability to sustain connection with our research participants and maintain continuity of our research efforts.  It is critical that research teams not only get creative about ways of reaching, engaging, and reimbursing our participants during this crisis, but also find ways to come together with communities to create, identify, and disseminate resources to those most in need.

• Carla Clynes
  Research Assistant and Study Phlebotomist, Healthy Divas and It Takes Two
• Akira Jackson
  Project Coordinator, Healthy Divas and It Takes Two
• Breonna McCree
  Peer Counselor, Healthy Divas and It Takes Two
• Arianna Salinas
  Peer Navigator, TRIUMPH
• Jae Sevelius, PhD
  Associate Professor
  Principal Investigator, TRIUMPH, Healthy Divas, It Takes Two, Girlfriends Connect
• Luz Venegas
  Research Assistant, TRIUMPH 
• Azize Ngo
  Phlebotomist/Research Assistant

• Sophia Zamudio-Haas, PhD  Research Specialist
• Ellen Stein  Academic Project Manager