This research project received funding through the 2024-2025 Institute for Diversity Science Seed Grant Program
Principal Investigator: Paula Niedenthal, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Co-Investigators: John Curtin, Department of Psychology; Morgan Jerald, Department of Psychology; Corey Jackson, The Information School
Abstract:
We propose an interdisciplinary, longitudinal, multimethod study to identify barriers to feelings of belonging in outdoor spaces (e.g., local and state parks) among individuals of minoritized racial identity groups (Black, Indigenous, East Asian, and Latiné) in Wisconsin. We will assess participant perceptions of outdoor spaces, beliefs about stereotypes that White’s hold about different minoritized group’s engagement with outdoor spaces (metastereotypes), and physical features of outdoor spaces including low-level visual cues and historical context. This multi-phase research involves tracking the movement of community members over several months to capture information about the spaces they visit, assess momentary perceptions of outdoor spaces and feelings of belonging using ecological, and conduct textual analysis of focus group transcripts using natural language processing, and novel machine learning and computer vision techniques to develop a holistic model of barriers to belonging in outdoor spaces. We are working in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and other local organizations. We plan to share results with our collaborators who will use the data to enact change that reduces racial disparities. All code will be available on open repositories.