You are invited to participate in a research study examining how women of color in academic medicine perceive the impact of leadership development programs on their career trajectories into leadership positions.
You may be eligible to participate if you:
- Self-identify as a woman of color.
- Currently hold or previously held the position of associate professor or higher in academic medicine.
- Participated in a professional association or university-based leadership development program.
- Hold either an MD, PhD, or EdD degree.
- Aspire to leadership positions such as dean, department chair, provost, or university president.
What participation involves:
- A 3-5-minute screening questionnaire
- A 60-minute virtual interview via Zoom
- A follow-up transcript review (20 minutes) to ensure accuracy
Your insights will help us understand how leadership development programs can better support women of color in advancing to leadership roles in academic medicine.
This study has been approved by the University of Southern California Institutional Review Board (IRB# UP-25-00187). Your information will remain confidential, and participation is entirely voluntary.
If you are interested in participating, please click here to complete a brief questionnaire. Contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to this critical research.
Benita Pleasant-Barrozo, Doctoral Candidate - University of Southern California (USC)
Organizational Change and Leadership (OCL) Email: [email protected]
Phone: (909) 730-8875]
Perhaps you might approach the professional body or union for for Doctors in the country you wish to focus your research on - in the UK for example, that would the British Medical Association (BMA).
Apologies if this is an obvious suggestion that you've already explored - good luck with your work.
1. Leverage Professional Networks
- Target organizations such as: National Medical Association (NMA) Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Student National Medical Association (SNMA) AMWA, WIMS (Women in Medicine and Science) chapters
- Post on LinkedIn and professional listservs with a clear call for participation.
- Reach out to DEI offices in medical schools—they may help distribute your request.
2. Collaborate with Institutional Champions
- Identify senior women of color in academic medicine who can: Endorse your study Share your invitation with their networks Offer credibility and trust
3. Use Targeted Digital Outreach
- Reddit (e.g., r/medicine, r/academia) or specialized Facebook/Slack groups
- Twitter/X: Use hashtags like #MedTwitter, #WomenInMedicine, #BlackAndSTEM
- Consider using a brief video to make your recruitment more engaging.
4. Prioritize Trust and Transparency
- Be clear about: The purpose of the study Time commitment Confidentiality and IRB approval How participants’ voices will be represented
5. Offer Value or Incentives
- Provide: A small honorarium (if allowed) A summary of findings Opportunity for co-authorship if appropriate Recognition in reports or presentations
6. Snowball Sampling
- Ask each participant to refer others—this peer-based strategy can be powerful, especially within close-knit or underrepresented communities.
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