Chapin Hall

For decades, Chapin Hall has documented persistent racial inequities in child and family well-being. While we have worked to provide evidence to inform how to address these inequities, we also acknowledge that it matters who does the research. Studies are shaped by who establishes the research questions, how they collect the data, and what life experiences and perspectives they bring to frame the results. In 2024, Chapin Hall launched the Equity First Summer Associates Program. 

Program Overview 

The Chapin Hall Equity First Summer Associates program is an intensive 7-week professional development experience designed for doctoral students in the Chicago area who are prepared to advance beyond foundational equity theory into applied research application. The program addresses the complex realities of conducting culturally responsive and racially equitable research in applied settings. 

Program Distinction 

The Chapin Hall EFSA program assumes baseline knowledge. Participants should be familiar with introductory equity definitions and content, equity frameworks that are used to address partnerships and challenge traditional power dynamics, and tensions between academic expectations and authentic community engagement.

Program Structure & Content 

Format: Hybrid (in-person kickoff and culmination in Chicago and weekly virtual sessions) 
Duration: 7 weeks
Time Commitment: 12–14 hours per week 
Program dates: June 15–July 31, 2026

Program Components 

Week 1: In-Person Kickoff and Introduction

The program begins with an intensive in-person session in Chicago. This foundational day, and subsequent online components for the rest of the week, establishes cohort relationships, introduces the organizational context, and sets expectations for rigorous and collaborative engagement throughout the 7-week program. 

Weeks 2–6: Weekly Virtual Sessions (Mondays and Wednesdays – 2.5hrs/day) 

The curriculum addresses: 

• Advanced positionality frameworks and their application in research design 
• Community-based participatory research with attention to authentic power-sharing 
• Culturally responsive, inclusive, and racially equitable research and evaluation practices
• Equity-centered data analysis across quantitative and qualitative approaches 

Each session consists of instructional content followed by applied learning activities. Participants engage with case studies, real-world scenarios, and receive feedback from both presenters and peers. 

Weeks 2–6: Friday Collaboration Sessions 
Weekly 90-minute structured peer collaboration sessions focus on deliverable-driven work. These sessions establish accountability partnerships and provide dedicated time for cohort members to engage with program content collectively. 

Week 7: In Person Program Culmination

The last week of the program will include an in-person closing event with capstone presentations by each of the Equity First Summer Associates.

Program Presenters and Guest Speakers 

Chapin Hall Staff Spotlights 

Each week features presentations from Chapin Hall researchers and policy staff who share their professional trajectories in applied research, including challenges, evolution of practice, and lessons learned. These sessions provide insight into the operational realities of implementing equity principles within institutional research contexts. 

Guest Speakers from the Field 

The program includes guest presentations from practitioners and scholars advancing culturally responsive and racially equitable evaluation across foundation, government, and nonprofit sectors. These sessions address strategic considerations for navigating the professional landscape and implementing Culturally Responsive Research and Equitable Evaluation (CRREE) methodologies in diverse organizational contexts. 

The Capstone Project 

Participants complete a capstone project applying CRREE principles to their dissertation research or a research question relevant to their scholarly work

Capstone support includes: 

• Comprehensive guidelines provided at program kickoff 
• Weekly structured checkpoints with feedback 
• Peer review process in Week 6 
• Individual consultation during office hours 
• Assessment rubric  

Participant Profile 

The program is designed for doctoral students who: 

• Are currently engaged in active research projects 
• Have completed a minimum of 2 years of their course of study (slight preference for those who have completed comprehensive exams, though this is not required) 
• Have demonstrated integration of equity principles in research practice 
• Possess experience with community participatory action research or community partnerships 
• Seek advanced application of specific CRREE methodologies 
• Are prepared for intellectually rigorous and vulnerable scholarly discourse 
• complex questions regarding research extraction, power dynamics, and impact 

The program may not be appropriate for candidates seeking foundational introduction to equity concepts or those whose primary interest is learning about communities rather than engaging in authentic partnership with them. Participants should be able to travel to Chicago for kickoff and culmination events.

Program Outcomes 

Upon completion of the 7-week program, participants will have: 

• Developed a sophisticated framework for navigating equity tensions within their specific research contexts 
• Established a professional network of peers engaged in similar methodological challenges 
• Acquired concrete tools for community engagement, data collection, and analysis 
• Completed a capstone project applicable to dissertation research 
• Built connections to Chapin Hall researchers and policy staff, and leaders in the field of equity centered and inclusive research. 

The program includes a stipend to support participant engagement.

Application Process 

The selection process evaluates candidates prepared for the application of CRREE principles. 

 Phase I – Application components include: 

• Pre-assessment survey to evaluate culturally responsive, inclusive, or racially equitable research
• Written application (demographics and short answer) 
• Video submission (3-4 minutes)

Phase II – Finalists will be invited for a 30-minute interview.

Information session: Thursday, February 5, 2026, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST (Note: New date) Register here

Application deadline: Friday, February 20, 2026  

Apply to the program 

Stay informed about the program

Flyer about program

Learn more about this and other racial equity initiatives at Chapin Hall, explore Chapin Hall’s Racial Equity Principles, or write to us at EquityFirstSummerAssociates@ChapinHall.org.