Duke Health Disparities Research Curriculum (HDRC)

2025-2026 Applications

Applications for the new HRDC cycle are NOW open. 

Application deadline is August 10, 2025.

HDRC uses the MyResearchProposal online application software.

You must be affiliated with Duke University or North Carolina Central University (NCCU) to participate in this course. Acceptance to the HDRC program will be determined by the course directors based on capacity and the applicant's rationale for taking the course.


The HDRC is designed to increase knowledge and skill in the design and conduct of health disparities research.  Although the curriculum focuses primarily on racial and ethnic disparities, the principles, methods, and examples will be broadly applicable to other health disparity populations (e.g. socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, underserved rural populations, sexual and gender minorities, etc).  The curriculum consists of didactic and interactive sessions.

The curriculum addresses: 

  • Foundational knowledge for design and conduct of research to address racial and ethnic health disparities, including:
    • Nomenclature and framework for approaching research involving health disparities
    • Contributors to health disparities
    • Health equity research frameworks
    • Community-engaged research
  • Health disparities research methods across the translational spectrum
  • Conduct of health disparities research focused on healthcare delivery  

Funding sources and strategies for writing disparities research grants and Please note that this curriculum is not designed to teach basic research design, and participants should have some foundational knowledge on the general principles and issues in research design.

The Health Disparities Research Curriculum is led by senior faculty (Asheley Skinner and Kimberly Johnson). Sessions are led by faculty with expertise in health disparities research.

The HDRC will meet on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 3:30 to 5:00 pm; September 2025 through June 2026. 

Note: The 2025-2026 curriculum will be virtual.

Interested individuals should plan to participate in at least 75% of the scheduled activities. Currently, there are no costs associated with this course.


Previous Health Disparities Research Curriculum Topics & Leaders

2024 - 2025 Health Disparities Research Curriculum Syllabus

Topic

Presenter

Framing the conversation

Kevin Thomas, MD

The Three Pillars of Disparities: Patient, Provider, and Health System

Kimberly Johnson, MD

Implicit associations

Benjamin Reese, Jr., Psy.D

Qualitative research

Amy Corneli, PhD

Secondary Data Analysis

Laine Thomas, PhD

Translational/Basic Science Research

Steve Patierno, PhD

Dos and don’ts of publishing

Kimberly Johnson, MD

AI, Machine learning in Health Equity Research, Risks and Benefits

Michael Cary, PhD

Health Equity Frameworks

Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda, PhD

Writing Disparities Research Grants

Kevin Thomas, MD

Hayden Bosworth, PhD

Maria Marquine, PhD

Community Engaged Research

Schenita Randolph, PhD

Developing a Patient Level Intervention to Address Health Disparities

Isaretta Riley, MD

Randomized Trials

Hayden Bosworth, PhD

Policy

Lisa McElroy, MD

Debrief Session

Sandro Pinheiro, PhD

Amanda McMillan, MPH, MA

 


Questions? Please contact Stephanie Molner.