Research & Studies

Report Analyzes Higher Education Anti-DEI Legislative Initiatives in Six U.S. States

“Banning DEI policies in higher education directly contradicts their fundamental purpose: to eliminate barriers to equal opportunity and create more equitable academic institutions,” the report authors write. “Without these programs, systemic disparities are likely to persist and widen, thereby reinforcing inequities in education, employment, and social mobility.”

How Racial Representation Impacts African Americans’ Trust in Scientific Institutions

For decades, research has documented African Americans' lower levels of trust in scientific institutions compared to Americans of other racial groups. According to a new study, this may be largely due to the persistent lack of racial diversity in the STEM workforce.

More Black Americans Would Choose to Live in the Past Than in the Future

According to a new Pew Research Center survey, about one-third of Black Americans would rather live in the past than in present day, while one-fifth would prefer to live sometime in the future. Notably, half of White Americans would choose to live in the past, while just 10 percent would choose the future.

Scholars From Sub-Saharan Africa Teaching at U.S. Universities

In the 2023-24 academic year, there were 112,552 scholars from foreign nations teaching at colleges and universities in the United States. This was a 10 percent increase from the previous year.

An Update on the Racial Gap in Six-Year College Completion Rates

Overall, 61.1 percent of college students who began their postsecondary education in fall 2019 graduated within six years. However, for Black students, just 44.0 percent completed their degree by 2025 - the lowest completion rate among all major racial groups.

Study Finds Black Americans Are More Religious Than Other Racial Groups

According to a new survey from Pew Research Center, some 95 percent of all Black adults - regardless of their religious affiliation - believe in a God or universal spirit, with nearly three-quarters believing so with absolute certainty. In contrast, just over half of Hispanic and White adults and a third of Asian adults express the same conviction.

Only 3 Percent of All Americans Studying Abroad Go to Universities in Sub-Saharan Africa

Of all American students studying abroad in all areas of the globe during the 2023-24 academic year, about 6.1 percent, were African Americans. Twenty years ago in the 2003-04 academic year, African Americans were 3.4 percent of all American students who studied abroad.

Across Income Levels, African American Families Have Higher Utility Bills Than Other Households

While the average U.S. household spends 3.2 percent of their income on utility bills, Black households spend an average of 5.1 percent of their income on energy expenses. This disparity holds true even when comparing households in majority-White and majority-Black neighborhoods with similar income levels.

Research Reveals Significantly Higher Risk of Firearm Homicide Among Pregnant Black Women

Overall, pregnant women are more likely to die from gun violence than nonpregnant women. However, this risk is significantly higher among Black women, who represented over 57 percent of all pregnant women who were victims of homicide between 2018 and 2021.

Black Students Are Less Likely Than Their Peers to Take Algebra Before High School

Even among schools' top performing students, Black students are significantly less likely than their Asian, White, and Latino peers to take algebra in eighth grade. This leads to unequal access to advanced math courses in high school, putting Black students at a disadvantage when applying to college.

Study Finds Increased Occurrence of Cesarean Births Among Black Women

“There are many reasons why someone might come into a labor and delivery unit and need a cesarean delivery — it’s a critically important, life-saving procedure — but race is not one of them,” said Marie Boller, the study’s lead author. “These findings are cause for concern, because we know these disparities have no biological basis and are rooted in structural racism.”

Surge in Foreign Students From Africa Continued in 2024-25, But the Trend May Reverse

In the 2024-25 academic year sub-Saharan nations sent more than 65,000 students to study at U.S. colleges and universities, an increase of more than 15 percent from the previous year. But early data shows that the rise in foreign enrollments has halted due to travel bans and visa restrictions during the first year of the Trump administration.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund Report Highlights the Economic Impact of Public HBCUs

Although on average they have smaller endowments and receive less federal funding per student than private HBCUs, public HBCUs enroll over three-quarters of all HBCU undergraduates and produce more STEM graduates, translating to a significant impact on the U.S. workforce and economy.

Study Theorizes Generative AI Could Improve Mental Health Care for Diverse Populations

“AI is a train that’s already in motion, and it’s picking up speed,” said Dr. Cortney VanHook, assistant professor of social work at the University of Illinois. “So, the question is: How can we use this amazing tool to improve mental health care for many populations?”

Differences in Black and White Americans’ Trust in Genetic Research

Compared to White Americans, Black Americans are less likely to trust the information provided by medical professionals and scientific literature regarding genetic medicine, which could be contributing to their underrepresentation in genetic research.

Do Americans Support the Federal Collection of Data on Race and Ethnicity?

Overall, 46 percent of U.S. adults support measuring race in federal research, while 33 percent oppose it. Asian and White adults are more likely to support the federal government collecting race-related data, while Black and Hispanic adults are more likely to oppose it.

Ivy League Study Uncovers Racial Disparities in Premature Mortality

A team of scholars from Brown University and Harvard University has found premature deaths—those occurring before age 65—have steadily increased in the United States in recent years, particularly among Black Americans.

Black Families Are Disproportionately Denied From Victim Compensation Claims

In 1984, the Victims of Crime Act established victim compensation programs to support victims and families of violent crime. Although Black families are more likely to file victim compensation claims, they are less likely to have their claims approved than White families.

Recent Declines in Black First-Year Enrollments at Highly Selective Colleges and Universities

Many Ivy League institutions, major research universities, and highly-selective liberal arts colleges across the United States have experienced sharp declines in Black first-year student enrollments since the Supreme Court's 2023 decision to end affirmative action.

Study Finds Performance-Based State Funding Policies Lead to Declines in Black Undergraduate Enrollment

According to a new study from scholars at the University of Illinois, highly-visible public universities in states that have adopted performance-based funding policies have experienced declines in their Black undergraduate enrollment.
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