SPRING Research Forum

ONGOING MISSION

The purpose of the Annual CWHW Research Forums is to highlight the diverse research being conducted on campus and in the community related to women’s health and wellness.

Through abstract presentations, flash talks, and roundtable discussions, we spend a day focusing on diverse topics that directly or indirectly impact girls and women.

5th annual research forum

The Center for Women’s Health and Wellness, in collaboration with the HHS Office of Research, successfully hosted the 5th Annual Research Forum on Friday, February 28, 2025. The event was a remarkable success, bringing together scholars, students, and community members to discuss critical topics in women’s health and wellness.

The highlight of the forum was the keynote presentation by Dr. Lisa Bowleg, director of the Intersectionality Training Institute, titled “Intersectionality: An Indispensable Critical Framework for Qualitative Equity Research.” Dr. Bowleg’s talk captivated the audience, drawing a record-breaking 70 attendees—the highest turnout for a CWHW Research Forum to date.

The forum also featured seven engaging flash talks from six UNCG students and an esteemed alum, each presenting innovative research relevant to women’s health. Topics covered included:

Grip Strength, APOE-e4, and Memory in Middle-Aged Females at Increased Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease – Chad Wessinger
Maternal Stressful Life Events During Pregnancy and Infant Cortisol – Yu Chen
Intersectionality of Disparities for Rural Maternal Patients: Shared Decision-Making and Outcomes – Tammy Hall
Invisible Labor: Black Mothers’ Negative Racial Experiences and Parenting Practices – Dionna Tillery
Relationships of Force and Displacement-Derived Brain Activity to Knee Laxity During Joint Loading – Beth Bacon
Impact of a Community-Based Yoga Therapy Program on Quality of Life for Immigrant and Refugee Women – Mona Flynn
Five- to 9-Year-Old Children’s Body Type Judgments and Preferences – Madalyn Prince

The event fostered rich discussions during a networking lunch led by Dr. Nikka Sucaldito, where attendees reflected on their experiences with intersectionality in research. Conversations centered on the challenges and benefits of working within communities one personally identifies with, as well as strategies for conducting impactful and ethical research.

The day concluded with an engaging and insightful workshop by Dr. Bowleg, “The 5 Most Important Things Health Equity Researchers Need to Know About Doing Qualitative Intersectionality Research.” With over 30 participants, the session provided invaluable takeaways on the key principles of intersectionality research, leaving attendees with a deeper understanding of its application in health equity studies.