Is doing better science enough?: An autoethnographic study of a multidisciplinary collaboration to measure structural racism

Paris B Adkins-Jackson; Emily A Haozous; Boeun Kim; Alicia Cooke; Melissa D Hladek; Darnell Leatherwood; Tiffany Riser; Odis Johnson; Erik Westlund; Laura J Samuel; Deidra C Crews; Gilbert Gee; Roland J Thorpe Jr; Karen Bandeen-Roche; Sierra Grey-Coker; Sarah L Szanton

doi:10.1080/13557858.2026.2729315

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Is doing better science enough?: An autoethnographic study of a multidisciplinary collaboration to measure structural racism

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Is doing better science enough?: An autoethnographic study of a multidisciplinary collaboration to measure structural racism

Paris B Adkins-Jackson, Emily A Haozous, Boeun Kim, Alicia Cooke, Melissa D Hladek, Darnell Leatherwood, Tiffany Riser, Odis Johnson, Erik Westlund, Laura J Samuel, …

Ethnicity & health

09/08/2026

DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2026.2729315

PMID: 42710845

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Abstract

Addressing structural racism remains a critical challenge in population health and social sciences, as traditional quantitative approaches often fail to disrupt long-standing racialized health hierarchies. This study critically interrogates the process of a multidisciplinary scientific collaboration attempting to operationalize and measure life course structural racism while enacting an anti-racist praxis. Utilizing a collaborative analytic autoethnography framework grounded in social cognitive theory and anti-racist praxis, our team - comprising biostatisticians, nurse scientists, epidemiologists, gerontologists, social scientists, and a nephrologist across racialized groups, career stages, and institutions - treated our team process as a socio-analytical field site. We examined the tension between individualistic paradigms and systemic measurement, gathering qualitative field data from team deliberations, and a dedicated focus group. Three primary autoethnographic themes emerged: operationalizing and understanding structural racism, constructing methodological infrastructure, and navigating accountability and the pursuit of a multidimensional measure. While qualitative life-course history interviews, expert panels, public podcasts, and a national survey advanced conceptual and data infrastructure, significant methodological barriers - including historical address recall, geocoding missingness, and geographic mismatch - prevented immediate measure validation. Autoethnographic reflection revealed how institutional incentives, capitalistic academic pressures, and funding mechanisms complicate collective equity work. By interrogating our collaborative process, we demonstrate that doing 'different science' requires prioritizing reflexive, collective team dynamics and infrastructure over rapid measure production. Embedding anti-racist praxis and community accountability into scientific collaborations offers a transformative pathway for advancing structural racism research and dismantling systemic health inequities.

SDH 17: Partnerships for the goals

collaborative autoethnography

anti-racist praxis

population health infrastructure

SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Structural racism

multidisciplinary collaboration

health equity

SDG 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Details

Title: Subtitle: Is doing better science enough?: An autoethnographic study of a multidisciplinary collaboration to measure structural racism
Creators: Paris B Adkins-Jackson - Columbia University
Emily A Haozous - Pacific Institute For Research and Evaluation
Boeun Kim - University of Iowa
Alicia Cooke - Johns Hopkins University
Melissa D Hladek - Johns Hopkins University
Darnell Leatherwood - University of Michigan
Tiffany Riser - Johns Hopkins University
Odis Johnson - Johns Hopkins University
Erik Westlund - Johns Hopkins University
Laura J Samuel - Johns Hopkins University
Deidra C Crews - Johns Hopkins University
Gilbert Gee - Johns Hopkins University
Roland J Thorpe Jr - Johns Hopkins University
Karen Bandeen-Roche - Johns Hopkins University
Sierra Grey-Coker - Johns Hopkins University
Sarah L Szanton - Johns Hopkins University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Ethnicity & health
DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2026.2729315
PMID: 42710845
NLM abbreviation: Ethn Health
ISSN: 1355-7858
eISSN: 1465-3419
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Grant note: National Institute on Aging of Aging: DP1AG069874-01S1, K01AG081454-02, DP1AG069874
This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging of Aging [DP1AG069874-01S1, K01AG081454-02 (Adkins-Jackson); DP1AG069874 (Szanton, Kim, Cooke, Thorpe)].
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 09/08/2026
Academic Unit: Sociology and Criminology; Nursing
Record Identifier: 9985224341502771

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