Institute for Diversity Sciences Awards Inaugural Seed Grants

​Nilanjana  Dasgupta, director of the campus's new Institute of Diversity Sciences, also College of Natural Sciences director of faculty equity and inclusion, and the institute steering committee have announced the first six multidisciplinary teams that have won seed grants of up to $12,000 to conduct preliminary studies investigating new research questions about the causes or consequences of group disparities or diversity from multiple scientific angles. 

​The institute brings together faculty and graduate students across colleges and schools whose research focuses on these topics, Dasgupta says, to foster innovative transdisciplinary research and education. She adds, “The long game is to advance each project to the next stage of seeking larger, competitive external grants.”

The teams of UMass researchers are uniting to solve complex problems that require attention from several different angles. Collaborators will combine their expertise, using each others strengths to reach a common goal. The institute will also facilitate two monthly working groups where faculty can present their findings, share ideas, and meet potential collaborators. 

The winning teams from PBS include:

“Discerning Risk and Individual Variation in Driving Behavior among Young Adults with and without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)” Jennifer M. McDermott, psychological and brain sciences, and Shannon C. Roberts, mechanical and industrial engineering.

“Processing Non-native Speech in Noisy Classrooms,” Lisa D. Sanders, psychological and brain sciences, Meghan Armstrong-Abrami, Hispanic linguistics, Kristine M. Yu, linguistics, and Anne Gilman, visiting assistant professor of psychology.

 

 

UMass Amherst News & Media Relations. (2018, April 24). New Institute for Diversity Sciences Awards Inaugural Seed Grants. http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/new-institute-diversity-sciences-awards?_ga=2.19795248.926151006.1525100816-1384228424.1513099826