Conducting rigorous research on politicized topics

Catalog description

This seminar examines the methodological, ethical, and practical challenges of conducting high-quality research on health topics that have become politically polarized. Students will explore how to design rigorous studies, communicate findings responsibly, and maintain scientific integrity when researching issues where political ideology intersects with public health evidence.Through selected case studies on topics that have become politicized (e.g., LGBTQIA+ health, abortion, climate change, vaccines, nutrition), the course will address and consider challenges and approaches including: community engaged research methods; data protection, preservation, and collection; designing studies that withstand intense scrutiny; and translating and communicating findings for policy and public audiences in polarized environments.The seminar features guest speakers who have conducted research on contested health issues, critical analysis of published studies and their reception, and discussions of best practices for producing credible, ethical research that advances public health knowledge despite political pressures. Students will develop skills in research design, stakeholder engagement, science communication, and ethical reasoning essential for conducting impactful research on topics where scientific evidence and political values collide.