Just Science

In episode four of our Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project mini season, Just Science sat down with Drs. Lilly Yu and Josh Hendrix, research scientists at RTI International, to discuss a project which documents the implementation of school-based human trafficking safety and prevention programs. For decades, school systems have incorporated safety and prevention programs into their day-to-days, and in recent years, funding is being allocated for developing human trafficking prevention education for students, staff, and educators. As a part of the Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education Demonstration Grant Program, researchers are evaluating these new school-based human trafficking prevention programs to understand their implementation across eight local educational agencies. Listen along as Drs. Yu and Hendrix discuss the goals of human trafficking prevention education in schools, the challenges of developing a standard program to be used across diverse educational districts, and the activities that are used to evaluate these types of programs. This episode is funded by the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project (Contract Number: HHSP233201500039I).

In episode three of our Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Kelle Barrick, Dr. Rebecca Pfeffer, and Natasha Aranguren, research scientists at RTI International, to discuss a study which estimates the prevalence of labor trafficking in Houston as a part of the larger Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project. Understanding the scope and nature of human trafficking exploitation is crucial for informing appropriate policy responses both in the United States and internationally. Based on existing knowledge about human trafficking nationwide, researchers from the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project selected constructions workers in Houston, Texas as a key population for studying the prevalence of labor trafficking. Listen along as Dr. Barrick, Dr. Pfeffer, and Natasha discuss the importance of accurately estimating prevalence rates of human trafficking, the recruitment strategies and methodology used in their study, and how they overcame specific challenges associated with this kind of research. This episode is funded by the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project (Contract Number: HHSP233201500039I). Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

In episode two of our Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project mini season, Just Science sat down with Samantha Charm, Christina Melander, Lauren Vollinger, and Brianna D’Arcangelo, research public health analysts at RTI International, to discuss a project which focuses on economic empowerment for those who have experienced human trafficking as part of the larger Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project. For those who have experienced human trafficking, economic or financial consequences are often inextricably linked to their trafficking experience and may leave those people without the skills, resources, or social capital to meet their needs in the community. As part of the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project, researchers are developing a guide to help service providers understand fundamentals and important considerations of implementing economic empowerment programs for people who have experienced human trafficking, including programming related to financial education, financial abuse, and supporting employment. Listen along as Samantha, Christina, Lauren and Brianna describe promising practices related to economic empowerment programming for people who have experienced human trafficking, the experience of incorporating trauma-informed practices in human trafficking research, and recommendations for other researchers interested in this work. This episode is funded by the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project (Project Contract Number: HHSP233201500039I). Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

In episode one of our Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project mini season, Just Science sat down with Elizabeth Tibaduiza and Christina Melander, research public health analysts from RTI, as well as Ada Pecos Melton and Rita Martinez, President and Vice President of American Indian Development Associates, to discuss a formative evaluation of the Demonstration Grants to Strengthen the Response to Victims of Human Trafficking in Native Communities Program or VHT-NC program. Human trafficking in Native communities is an urgent issue in need of response, which is complicated by several factors, such as a need for increased awareness and understanding of human trafficking and limited availability of culturally responsive services and resources. The VHT-NC program aims to assist six communities in building, expanding, and sustaining their capacity to serve Native peoples who have experienced human trafficking through outreach, service provision, and community training. Listen along as Elizabeth, Christina, Ada, and Rita describe the context and implementation of the VHT-NC projects, the structure of a study like the VHT-NC Formative Evaluation, and the importance of engaging community members and incorporating cultural perspectives when conducting community-based research. This episode is funded by the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project (Contract Number: HHSP233201500039I). Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

In the final episode of our Trauma-Informed Research Methods mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Noni Gaylord-Harden, a researcher from Texas A&M University, and Dr. Vicki Johnson-Lawrence, a researcher from RTI International, to discuss how to thoughtfully conduct research outreach and dissemination in a community setting. At the initial stages of community-based research, it is important for researchers to form meaningful connections with community members and listen to their needs instead of making assumptions about what is most important to study or pay attention to. By taking a slow and mindful approach, researchers will ask questions that will be purposeful for the community and foster a better understanding of how to disseminate their research findings in a way that is valuable to the community being served. Listen along as Drs. Gaylord-Harden and Johnson-Lawrence describe what it means to center community voices in research, the importance of being flexible in your research approach, and the challenges of taking a trauma-informed approach to community outreach and dissemination. This episode is funded by the RTI International Justice Practice Area. Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

In episode three of our Trauma-Informed Research Methods mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rebecca Campbell, Professor of Psychology at Michigan State University, to discuss the importance of taking a trauma-informed approach when managing a research team. For research staff who are regularly exposed to traumatic material, it can be difficult to recognize and respond to signs of their own vicarious trauma. While there is no perfect roadmap for navigating trauma-informed project management, research leaders are continuing to explore strategies for mitigating vicarious trauma for their team. Listen along as Dr. Campbell describes her career-long learning process for creating a trauma-informed research environment, how to recognize the signs that you or someone on your research team may need a break, and where to find resources for learning more about vicarious trauma. This episode is funded by the RTI International Justice Practice Area. Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

In episode two of our Trauma-Informed Research Methods mini season, Just Science sat down with Katherine Bright, a sexual violence researcher, to discuss the importance of prioritizing trauma-informed data collection methods. Researchers are often conditioned to collect data in a way that minimizes methodological error and prioritizes scientific output. As a result, there is a need to reevaluate research priorities to ensure that participants and staff are working in an environment where they feel safe and connected. Listen along as Katherine describes a three-pronged approach to trauma-informed research, specific ways to increase choice and agency for participants and research staff, and how she develops her evolving research practice. This episode is funded by RTI International's Justice Practice Area.

In episode one of our Trauma-Informed Research Methods mini season, Drs. Jaclyn Houston-Kolnik, Hannah Feeney, and Rebecca Pfeffer, research scientists at RTI International, sat down to discuss incorporating trauma-informed practices when conducting research. Given the prevalence of trauma among the population, it is important for researchers to be mindful and aware of trauma in their research participants, regardless of whether their studies focus on trauma. Prioritizing a trauma-informed approach from the study design to data collection and dissemination promotes safety and support for all involved. Listen along as Drs. Houston-Kolnik, Pfeffer, and Feeney describe what it means to use a trauma-informed approach in all aspects of the research process, the importance of training research staff to incorporate trauma-informed principles, and their own experiences with creating trauma-informed study designs. This episode is funded by the RTI International Justice Practice Area.

Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

In the final episode of our Resilient Leadership mini season, Just Science sat down with Brian Hoey from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory to discuss the importance of practicing good followership within a resilient workplace. In the field of forensic science, there is often an emphasis on practicing good leadership, while few resources are devoted to cultivating good followership. As all practitioners oscillate between positions of leadership and followership, there is a need to better understand how both roles contribute to a resilient workplace. Listen along as Brian describes his experience as both a leader and a follower, creating a culture of mutual respect, and how to identify effective future supervisors. This episode is funded by RTI International’s Justice Practice Area. Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

In episode 3 of our Resilient Leadership mini season, Just Science sat down with Jody Wolf, Crime Lab Administrator for the Phoenix Police Department; Tim Scanlan, president of Forensic Analysis, Consulting, and Training, LLC; and Mikalaa Martin, Forensic Scientist at RTI International to highlight the impact of human factors on forensic DNA interpretation. Human factors research is a discipline that examines concepts like undue influence, employee wellness, and human error, which impact the decisions that forensic science practitioners make on a daily basis. The National Institute of Standards and Technology/National Institute of Justice Expert Working Group on Human Factors in Forensic DNA Interpretation is dedicated to exploring a systems-based approach for addressing human factors, where employees can embrace and learn from their mistakes. Listen along as Jody, Tim, and Mikalaa describe the human factors that commonly affect forensic DNA interpretation, the importance of creating a positive error working culture, and how leaders can cultivate an environment of trust and accountability. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award No. 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU). Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.