Volume 2 | Issue 3
DISCOVER UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, CONSUMER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
WHAT WE DO + WHY IT MATTERS
At its core, research within the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences centers on improving lives. With expertise in agriculture and the environment, family and communities, and health and wellness, our reach is both broad and deep. Uniting us is a reliance on the latest innovations in data and technology, as well as a deep commitment to solving real-world problems affecting Central Illinois, the United States, and the globe. Here, we showcase a fraction of our world-class research in the area of family and communities, revealing racial inequities in STEM, strengthening intimate relationships, addressing hunger in rural Africa, and providing evidence-based resources to families during an unprecedented pandemic.
RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS IN STEM EDUCATION
Race-related experiences on college campuses may contribute to racial disparities in STEM occupations.
Careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are among the fastest-growing in the United States, yet racial and gender disparities remain in STEM occupations. ACES research shows when students of color in STEM majors experience racial microaggressions, these experiences shape their perception of the racial climate on campus. Such experiences may discourage students of color from continuing in their programs, contributing to the lack of representation in STEM education programs. Racial microaggressions are subtle behaviors or remarks that can demean, degrade, or invalidate an individual. According to the research, when students of color in STEM majors felt excluded, invisible, isolated, or discouraged on their college campus or in classrooms because of their race, they were less likely to continue in STEM.
FAMILY RESILIENCY CENTER BUILDING BLOCKS OF RESILIENCE Challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have undoubtedly created strain and stress for families. To help families cope, researchers in ACES’ Family Resiliency Center (FRC) have created Building Blocks of Resilience briefs, a resource for families that offer evidence-based strategies, as well as new ideas to face challenging circumstances. The briefs cover topics spanning the spectrum of everyday family life, highlighting ways in which families can be resilient. The first brief in the series looks at the importance of family routines. Other topics include healthy relationships; physical activity during times of stress; cooking with kids; family traditions and celebrations; talking to kids about racism; and responsive feeding. The briefs are available for free download through the FRC website at go.illinois.edu/FRC_buildingblocks.
Building Blocks of Resilience focus on six themes: Responsive Feeding; Family Traditions & Celebrations; Cooking with Kids; Physical Activity during Times of Stress; Healthy Relationships during Times of Stress; and Family Routines.
DISCOVER: FAMILY & COMMUNITIES aces-research@illinois.edu
aces.illinois.edu/research/areas/family-communities
BOOSTING NUTRITION IN KENYAN SCHOOL LUNCHES Many school children in Western Kenya are malnourished, with limited access to meals at school. For those who do receive school lunches, that often constitutes the only nutrient-rich meal they consume in a given day.
10g
soybean flour
Researchers in the USAID-funded Soybean Innovation Lab are partnering with Rural Outreach Africa, a nonprofit organization seeking to increase food security and socioeconomic empowerment. Their latest effort replaces a small fraction of rice or maize in school lunches with proteinpacked, locally sourced soybean flour, adding over 15% more protein to address children’s daily needs.
15%
more protein Adding soybeans to school meals in exchange for less nutritious ingredients substantially improves protein content.
The larger project aims to train local farmers to grow soybeans for the region’s schools, with the goal of creating a more robust supply chain while alleviating food insecurity and poverty.
ILLINOIS STRONG COUPLES The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic can take a toll on marriages and other close, intimate relationships. And science shows these relationships are worth working on. ACES and Illinois Extension researchers have launched a new online program for Illinois couples seeking help for their relationship. The Illinois Strong Couples project utilizes the ePREP program, a sciencebased program for strengthening couple relationships. The program uses cognitive behavioral interventions, with an added relationship “coach” feature. Studies looking at the success of the ePREP program showed greater relationship satisfaction, improvements in communication and emotional support, less intimate partner violence, and fewer concerns about breaking up or instability in the relationship among couples who went through the program compared to those who did not.
Illinois Strong Couples is a research-based, online program for couples in Illinois who want to strengthen their relationships, with the help of program “coaches.”
FUNDING SOURCES Racial Microaggressions in STEM: The Center on Democracy in a Multiracial Society, Campus Research Board (including the Multiracial Democracy Initiative), Graduate College Focal Point, and University Housing at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Jasmine D. Collins, Agricultural, Leadership, Education, and Communications Contact: jdcolli2@illinois.edu Building Blocks of Resilience: Christopher Family Food & Family Program Barbara Fiese, Aaron Ebata, Kelly Tu, Brian Ogolsky, Allen Barton, Sharde McNeil Smith, Chelsea Hetherington, Brent McBride, Human Development and Family Studies; Jessica Jarick Metcalfe, Food Science and Human Nutrition; Alexandra Lundquist, Division of Nutritional Sciences Contact: Kimberly Keniley-Ashbrook, kenileya@illinois.edu Boosting Nutrition in Kenyan Lunches: United States Agency for International Development (USAID), ADM Cares Juan Andrade, Insert Department Name | Annette Donnolly, Insert Department Name Contact: Juan Andrade, jandrade@illinois.edu Illinois Strong Couples: University of Illinois Extension Allen Barton, Human Development and Family Studies Contact: awbarton@illinois.edu