UCSF's Research Participant Demographic Dashboard is a transparent window into the diversity of our research participants. In collaboration with institutional partners, we've curated comprehensive dashboards showcasing key demographic insights from NIH-sponsored clinical trials conducted by UCSF. Our commitment to transparency and accountability is reflected in the meticulous data collected from enrollment reports submitted to the NIH ASSIST system spanning 2016 to 2023. Explore various perspectives of this invaluable information through the tabs at the top of your screen on our Recruitment Dashboards. 

Institutional Partners: UCSFClinical and Translational Science Institute Research Action Group for Equity (RAGE) and Research Technology (RT) programs.  

We have launched a new consultation service, Research for Antiracism Consultation & Education (RACE). Get free support for theory, methodologies, and methods to advance your antiracist research by contacting Dr. Jennifer James ([email protected]).

Institutional Partners: UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach, UCSF Clinical & Translational Science Institute Research Action Group on Equity (RAGE) and Consultation Service (CS) programs. 

The UCSF Office of Research is committed to guiding equitable research conduct, building capacity for research on racism in biomedical research, and for supporting research using anti-racist and racial equity approaches. Toward this goal, the Research Development Office (RDO) has developed this anti-racism research seed grant program through its Resource Allocation Program (RAP). The charge of this initiative is to strengthen and enhance the conceptual framework and RFP language and review procedures for anti-racism research awards managed by RAP and other internal funding entities. More information about the application can be found here.

Institutional Partners: UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute Community Engagement Program, UCSF Resource Development Office, UCSF Academic Senate, School of Medicine’s Research Evaluation and Allocation Committee (REAC), and Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). 

NIH Diversity Supplement Process Improvement and Coordination

The Diversity Supplement Process Improvement and Coordination Project, funded by the Chancellor as part of the Campus Value Improvement Project, aims to streamline efforts in enhancing NIH Diversity Supplement (DS) application rates. The NIH DS program offers additional funding for research experiences to individuals from high school to faculty level, particularly those underrepresented in health-related research nationally. However, the lack of a unified infrastructure has hindered coordinated efforts across units, impacting the administration of the application process, promotional activities, participation rates, and outcome tracking. This fragmentation has resulted in significant unrealized revenue, fewer underrepresented trainees, and limited exploration of diverse and innovative research topics.

Institutional Partners: UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach, UCSF Project Management Office, UCSF Research Development Office, and Post-baccalaureate Research Opportunity to Promote Equity in Learning (PROPEL).​​​ 

Clinical Research Coordinators: Learners for Equity (CIRCLE)

The goal of CIRCLE is to advance inclusive research and health equity by preparing historically under-represented (HU) individuals to become Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs) and diversify the clinical research workforce to increase the diversity of research participants. CIRCLE has two components a two-week training course and a 20-hour shadowing experience. Learn more.

Institutional Partners: San Francisco State University, UCSF Differences Matter: Research Action Group for Equity and Anchor Institution Mission. 

Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (SFBUILD)

SF BUILD, supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) aimed at Enhancing the Diversity of the NIH Funded Workforce, operates based on the Signaling Affirmation for Equity (SAFE) Model, crafted for the grant's success. Our efforts target students, faculty, and institutional procedures, aiming to catalyze transformations in teaching and research settings, ultimately fostering a more diverse biomedical research workforce. Learn more.​​​

Institutional Partners: San Francisco State University and UCSF Cancer Center DEI.

Developing Employment Pathways

Our office is committed to diversifying the research workforce by partnering with various programs to provide extensive training pathways for aspiring researchers. These specialized programs are designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue careers in research.

These partnerships and programs actively foster a more inclusive and equitable research community:

• The Center for Science, Education, and Outreach, which is dedicated to empowering K-16 students with foundational skills and knowledge in research.
• The Bay Area Youth Science (BAYS) Program, which provides high school students with immersive experiences and training in research methodologies. 
• The Post-baccalaureate Research Opportunity to Promote Equity in Learning (PROPEL), which caters to post-baccalaureate students seeking to enter the research field.
• CIRCLE, an initiative aimed at diversifying clinical research coordinators, which ensures a more inclusive and representative workforce.​​​​​

Institutional partners:  UCSF Center for Science, Education, and Outreach, UCSF Bay Area Youth Science Program, UCSF Anchor Institution Mission, and  Post-baccalaureate Research Opportunity to Promote Equity in Learning (PROPEL). 

Faculty Advancement and Retention Policies and Practices

UCSF has already implemented a contribution to the diversity statement and inclusion in advancement packages. We are currently focusing on prioritizing additional aspects vital to faculty members. These include emphasizing community engagement and the impact of community-engaged research or policy work. This is especially crucial for fields like Health Equity. Moreover, we are emphasizing the importance of team science, recognizing that addressing complex issues such as Health Equity requires collaborative approaches.

Staff Advisor and Consultant Compensation

Staff members currently serving on oversight committees and advisory groups do not receive compensation, whether in the form of stipends or additional benefits, similar to faculty members. There is ambiguity regarding whether students and trainees should also receive compensation for their roles.

We are aware of the disparities this creates, especially for staff members involved in projects related to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (DIA). This issue highlights the concept of the 'minority tax,' where certain individuals are expected to contribute their time and expertise without proper compensation. We recognize the importance of rectifying this situation and are actively working towards a solution. Addressing staff compensation for committee service is a crucial step in ensuring fairness and inclusivity within our organization. We are committed to resolving this issue and eliminating the disparities that currently exist."

These initiatives provide and support patient-centered and community-engaged research as a foundational operating principle for an anti-racist and equity research enterprise:

• Patient Experience Research
• Community partner compensation policies and practices
• Alignment with Precision Medicine and Bioethics programs
• Community Advisory Board (CAB) Infrastructure

Patient Experience Research

This collaborative initiative aims at evaluating and addressing disparities in healthcare experiences for racial and ethnic minority groups within our academic medical center. Through rigorous analysis of patient experience survey data, we've identified significant disparities, with minority patients consistently rating their experiences below the institutional average. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and collaborative efforts among stakeholders to ensure equitable healthcare delivery. For more opportunities to learn more about this project, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Institutional Partners: UCSF Adult Patient Experience at UCSF Health, UCSF Health Equity Council, UCSF Health Experience, UCSF Ambulatory Services Patient Experience, and UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach.

Community Partner Compensation Policies and Practices

Our initiative aims to optimize the compensation provided to community partners for their invaluable advisory contributions. Currently, the process for compensating community partners is unclear, requiring policy adjustments to simplify and accelerate payment procedures. We recognize the expertise, time, and effort that community partners invest in their advisory roles, and it is essential to appropriately value their contributions. Therefore, we are committed to implementing policy changes that prioritize fair and timely compensation for our community partners. By streamlining payment processes and ensuring transparency, we aim to strengthen our partnerships and demonstrate our genuine appreciation for the vital insights and perspectives our community partners offer.

Institutional Partners: UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute Community Engagement Program and UCSF Center for Community Engagement. 

​​​​Alignment with Precision Medicine and Bioethics Programs

This initiative seeks to deepen collaboration between our institution's enhanced community engagement practices and the Precision Medicine and Bioethics programs. Building upon existing partnerships and involvement in meetings, we aim to expand our engagement to further integrate bioethics within the framework of community-centered initiatives. Bioethics endeavors to be fundamentally community-engaged, and we are eager to explore avenues for involvement in this aspect of the program.

Institutional Partners: UCSF Precision Medicine and UCSF Bioethics.

Community Advisory Board (CAB) Infrastructure

This initiative is dedicated to strengthening the support and capacity-building efforts for our Community Advisory Boards (CABs) within the institution. This focuses on establishing robust infrastructure to facilitate the implementation of best practices, enhance communication channels, and empower our CABs. By providing resources, training, and ongoing support, we aim to amplify the voices and influence of our CAB members, ensuring that they play a pivotal role in shaping policies, programs, and initiatives that directly impact the community. Our commitment lies in creating a sustainable and inclusive framework that fosters collaboration, transparency, and meaningful engagement between the institution and the communities it serves.

Institutional partners: UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute's Community Engagement program.