Preparing Trainees from Diverse Backgrounds for Alcohol Research Careers

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ABSTRACT Diversity is essential to maximize scientific rigor, innovation, and generalizability in alcohol research. However, a lack of participation by investigators and trainees from diverse ethnic and racial groups, disability status, and disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds is a persistent challenge. Investigators from the field of psychology are vital in the conduct of interdisciplinary alcohol research and evidence-supported treatment provision, and integral to the dissemination and implementation of novel behavioral, pharmacological, and combined treatment approaches for alcohol use disorders. Thus, the primary objective of the proposed alcohol research training program, titled Enhancing Diversity in Alcohol Research (EDAR), is to address this critical need by increasing engagement and retention of URM psychology trainees in alcohol research careers. The EDAR program is aligned with NIAAA’s longstanding mission to support diversity in education, the NIAAA Strategic Plan for 2017- 2021, and the NIAAA Working Group on Diversity and Health Disparity. The specific aims of the EDAR program are to: 1) attract URM psychology trainees into internship programs with robust alcohol research training opportunities by providing individualized mentoring from near-peers and senior experts in the alcohol field, structured didactics focused on diversity and professional development, and financial support, 2) retain URM psychology trainees in alcohol research careers by engaging them in NIAAA-supported T32 programs and providing them the skills to become near-peer mentors, 3) examine the effects of the program on research engagement and career trajectories following program completion, and 4) identify barriers and facilitators to engaging and retaining URM trainees in alcohol research. Each year, we will recruit and retain cohorts of six outstanding psychology graduate students from diverse backgrounds during the summer before internship application. The proposed EDAR program will provide two years of formalized didactic training and individual mentorship including: personalized feedback on internship and postdoctoral fellowship application materials, interview skill development, and financial support to offset trainee application and interview expenses. Thorough program evaluation will occur with direction from an expert panel of federally-funded alcohol researchers and educators in our Advisory Council to refine and improve the program and provide innovative data on potential barriers and facilitators to alcohol research involvement for trainees from diverse backgrounds. The highly qualified leadership team, strong partnerships with senior alcohol investigators leading NIAAA-supported T32/T35 training programs, and a team of exceptionally qualified and dedicated faculty mentors will ensure that the proposed alcohol research education program is implemented with a focus on rigor, cultural sensitivity, and sustainability within a vibrant educational setting.