RISE seeks to improve the reproductive health and equity of people in the US Southeast through transdisciplinary research that informs social, systems, and policy change. Our work is inclusive of multifaceted stakeholders accountable to reproductive health, rights, and justice (RHRJ) in the US Southeast, and we train future professionals at all educational levels to go into RHRJ fields with knowledge of research and its utility in their work. We also aim to increase the praxis of research justice by conducting and building capacity for stakeholder-centered and participatory research. We believe that reproductive health in the Southeast cannot be attained without dignity, respect, compassion, and fair treatment for all people, including acknowledgement of both historical and contemporary injustices by gender, race, class, and other socially constructed categorizations.
Students at multiple educational levels (undergraduate, masters, doctorate, etc.) are engaged in RISE as attendees or participants of educational events; as recipients of thesis, dissertation, or other research support; as mentees, graduate research assistants, and fellows; and as external evaluators. Students are featured prominently as leaders in RISE work, as indicated by inclusive or lead project roles, responsibilities, and authorship. Through these RISE opportunities, students develop critical skills in research methodology, leadership, communication, community engagement, and more.
To date, RISE has engaged with 100+ student trainees at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), the University of Georgia (UGA), Georgia State University (GSU), Emory University, and beyond. RISE students' experiences have equipped them with knowledge and skills around reproductive health, research, and equity—all within the unique sociopolitical landscape of the US Southeast—that will serve them in their future careers. RISE students have gone on to fulfill full-time positions at leading organizations in sexual and reproductive health and public health. They have completed degree programs and earned numerous internal and external awards. RISE alumni are an integral part of the regional and national reproductive health, rights, and justice ecosystem.
Your gift to RISE will allow us to expand our support of students as they engage with RISE, pursue academic degrees and learning opportunities, and create meaningful contributions to the fields of RHRJ and sexual health.
“My involvement with RISE has been the highlight of my [student] experience. I feel like I've found a community of researchers, future colleagues, and mentors.” – RISE Graduate Research Assistant
