A Novel Curriculum Review Process for Initiating the Incorporation of Antiracist Principles Into Epidemiology Course Work.

ABSTRACT

There is growing acknowledgement of the legacy of White supremacy and racism in the discipline of epidemiology. Our department in the University of Washington School of Public Health undertook a systematic effort to begin addressing institutionalized racism and inclusive teaching in our courses. In July 2020, we introduced a new tool (the "Course Development Plan" (CDP)) to advance our curriculum. The CDP includes 2 components 1) a guideline document that provides strategies on how to modify curricula and classroom teaching to incorporate antiracism and principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI); and 2) a structured worksheet for instructors to share EDI and antiracism practices they already incorporate and practices they plan to incorporate into their classes. Worksheets for each class are submitted prior to the beginning of the quarter and are reviewed by a peer faculty member and at least 1 epidemiology student; reviewers provide written feedback on the CDP worksheet. Further evaluation to assess the impact of the CDP process on classroom climate is ongoing. In this commentary, we discuss our department's efforts, the challenges we faced, and our hopes for next steps.