Project: Research Project: Experiences of Multiply-Marginalized, Disabled, UMN Graduate Students

Overhead shot of six disabled people of color at a rooftop deck party. An Indigenous Two-Spirit person with a prosthetic leg smiles directly at the camera and gives a thumbs up while everyone else is engaged in conversation.

Photo credit: Chona Kasinger for Disabled And Here

About the project

Research
Graduate Students
BIPOC
Disabled
First Gen
International
LGBTQ

Every two years, the UMN administers the GRADSeru Survey to gain insights about the experiences of current graduate students. As a public humanities initiative, MNT knows that survey data can only tell one part of the story…

Using a mixed-methods approach, this research project (colloquially known as G.R.U.D.G.E. Groundwork Research on Under-resourced, Disabled, Grad Experiences) aims to uplift and nuance the experiences of under-resourced, multiply-marginalized disabled graduate students at the University of Minnesota.

By creating space for open conversation, this project aims to deepen understanding of the systemic barriers and survival strategies of marginalized, disabled graduate students. Research reports - including analysis, insights, and recommendations for change - will be provided to the UMN Graduate School and other stakeholders.

Questions? Email Angela at amcarter@umn.edu

Materials from this project are available for University of Minnesota students and staff at this digital archive (Elevator).

Partners and collaborators

The research team is composed of faculty, staff, and graduate students who hail from various backgrounds and disciplines and identify as members of the LGBTQIA, Disabled and/or chronically ill, and BIPOC communities. Many among us also navigate the institution as first-generation and/or international students. Please see below for more information about our team and roles.

Principle Investigator - Angela M. Carter Research Team - Jigna Desai, Kristen Reynolds, Kelly Collins, and Noro Andriamanalina. Focus Group Support - Cori Bazemore-James, Erin Durban, and Anindita Chatterjee.

With additional financial support from:

  • The College of Liberal Arts
  • The Graduate School
  • The Graduate School Diversity Office
  • The Critical Disability Studies Collective / Imagine Chairs in Disability Studies
  • The Disability Resource Center / Office for Equity and Diversity
  • The College of Education and Human Development