02/11/2022

Committee Spotlight: Anti-Racism Interest Group

The Anti-Racism Interest Group (AIG) is charged with contributing to the growing body of science on race, racism, health inequities, and health disparities in injury and violence research. AIG develops guiding principles, research priorities, and policies as they relate to anti-racism for the SAVIR organization, and works collaboratively with each of the SAVIR committees to include anti-racism priorities in all SAVIR activities.

• What should SAVIR members know about AIG?

We are a passionate group of students, public health practitioners, and researchers dedicated to our journeys into anti-racism who have a desire to impact positive change in ourselves, our organization, the field of injury and violence research, and beyond.

All SAVIR members are welcome to join the AIG and partake in our ongoing initiatives. Whether your desire is to learn, contribute, or lead an initiative, there is a place for you in AIG. Another way to get involved is to become an AIG Liaison for a specific committee to help us successfully address the anti-racism initiatives for that committee.

• What are your goals for the coming year?

Goals for this coming year include continuing our work examining how injury and violence prevention literature defines and uses race and racism and the impact this has upon our abilities to address racial and ethnic health disparities. This work has been an ongoing effort of numerous AIG members, in addition to an incredible undergraduate who worked with us this past summer as a part of the IMHOTEP Fellowship.

1. Tell me a fun fact about your group.

We greatly value student voices and are always welcoming new opportunities to support undergraduate and graduate researchers interested in this work. This past year, we welcomed Julia Blackwell, a senior at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA. Julia is a future leader in public health and is a co-author of two manuscripts being developed by the AIG. You can read about her experience working with SAVIR’s AIG here: https://associationdatabase.com/aws/SAVIR/pt/sd/news_article/395301/_PARENT/layout_details/true

• If your next AIG meeting were a game night, what game would you play? Who would most likely be the winner?

Hmm, I think Trivia would be a huge hit for AIG! As with all trivia I think the winner would be a toss-up, but if I had to predict a winner I’d say Cass Crifasi or Kate Fitch!

• What initiatives are you most proud of? How can members partake in these efforts?

To date, some of our most significant contributions include developing a code of conduct for members and non-members who engage in SAVIR events and activities, and developing a set of guiding values and principles for describing race and racism in IVP research. Both of these documents then became an integral part of the SAVIR Statement on Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion which was officially adopted by the SAVIR board of directors. The ripple effect of this work will continue to grow and impact how each of us plays a role at the individual, organizational, and community level in prioritizing equity and dismantling racism.

• How can SAVIR members get involved with your committee? How often/when does your committee meet?

The AIG currently meets on the first Wednesday of every month via Zoom. If you are interested in joining the committee please contact Maggie Barlow at savir@meinet.com or the AIG Co-Chairs, Shabbar Ranapurala (sirana@email.unc.edu) and Regan Murray (reganm@uark.edu)