Center Members Awarded OVPR Anti-Racism Grant

The Center for Global Health Equity  is thrilled to announce that two faculty members, Bilal Butt, PhD (School of Sustainability) and Omolade Adunbi (LSA), have been awarded an Anti-Racism Grant from the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) at the University of Michigan. This grant is part of an award cycle that has allocated nearly $500,000 across eight research teams to advance critical understanding and enact change in areas related to anti-racism at the launch of the 2024-2025 academic year. Their project is titled "Racial Capitalism and Anti-Racism in Kenyan Conservation."

Through its Research Catalyst and Innovation Program, the OVPR aims to address systemic racial inequalities through multidisciplinary research and scholarship. Since its inception in 2021, the program has awarded $1.9 million to researchers across various University of Michigan schools and colleges. “The work these teams are pursuing is key in understanding how to dismantle the effects of systemic inequalities across multiple communities,” stated Trachette Jackson, University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor.

This year’s awardees will be investigating a broad range of topics, including the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in racial disparities, healthcare equality during the peripartum period, and racial injustices in conservation practices. The diverse and interdisciplinary nature of these projects ensures that they tackle complex societal issues with innovative, multifaceted approaches.

Collaborating with Muzammil Hussain (LSA), the team aims to identify the mechanisms and impacts of racialized conservation injustice in Kenya. By integrating interdisciplinary theories, mixed methods, and multiple lines of evidence, their research seeks to inform organizations that work on conservation, justice, and human rights.
Their work is poised to uncover critical insights into how racial inequalities are perpetuated in conservation efforts and, importantly, how these injustices can be addressed and prevented in the future. This project not only elucidates the intersections of race, economics, and environmental stewardship but also contributes to global discussions on conservation justice.

Other exciting projects funded by this year’s OVPR Anti-Racism Grants include addressing disparities in peripartum healthcare, examining the socio-economic value of data in Africa, and exploring AI’s impact on Black artisans. These initiatives stand to make profound impacts on both local and global scales.

The grants foster collaborations not only within the University of Michigan but also with other esteemed institutions worldwide, illustrating the reach and importance of this research. Collaborators include universities like Portland State University, the University of Johannesburg, and Michigan State University, enhancing the projects’ multidisciplinary and global perspectives.

The Center for Global Health Equity is proud of the contributions of Butt and Adunbi in advancing the mission of equity and justice through rigorous research. Their work represents a significant step towards addressing racial inequalities within the field of conservation, aligning with our commitment to fostering global health equity.
As research and discussions around anti-racism continue to evolve, the contributions from these grant recipients will play a crucial role in shaping informed policies and practices. We congratulate Butt and Adunbi on their achievements and look forward to the transformative impact of their work.