From Dr. Ashlyn Strozier on Her Research with the EPIC Lab
We are striving to build an innovative and nationally recognized humanities research lab. This lab represents a collective vision shared by both the students and me, as the professor and lab leader. Together, we aim to improve the lived realities of Black women in the Atlanta area and throughout the United States, particularly concerning their sexual, maternal, and reproductive health.
Our Black Women’s Maternal and Reproductive Health Lab trains undergraduate students in the humanities, focusing on theoretical development, research design, and the creation of engaging digital outputs to educate the public and propose solutions. In 2016, the Reproductive Injustice Report by the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and SisterSong revealed that Black women’s maternal morbidity rates were three times higher than the national average, while white women’s morbidity rates were too insignificant to report. This raises critical questions: Why are Black women’s maternal death rates so high in Atlanta? and Are Black women and their families aware of this risk? Today, we continue to face significant challenges regarding reproductive and maternal health, especially in Atlanta.
Our Approach
Pedagogically, I envision the humanities as a pathway to college-to-career readiness by embedding digital humanities into students’ academic experiences. Through project-based learning and the humanities lab model, I foster a collaborative and dynamic learning community. Students in the lab engage in my research on Black women’s reproductive and maternal health, using Atlanta’s maternal health crisis as a case study.
Some students work in the lab for a semester, while others participate over multiple semesters, taking on various roles. Many students come to the lab deeply concerned about improving the lives of their communities, while others are preparing for careers in healthcare, journalism, religion, nonprofit work, or social services. As a teacher-scholar and creative collaborator, I work alongside students to produce impactful digital humanities projects and storytelling outputs.
Current Projects
Our lab has received funding from the Teagle Foundation and Interfaith America. Currently, students are developing a docu-series pilot, set to premiere to the community in early March through a focus group. This event will pave the way for additional activities during Black Maternal Health Week. The success of this pilot could secure continued funding from Interfaith America.
Other digital projects include the creation of a website featuring:
- Interactive maps
- Theoretical frameworks
- A dictionary of key terms
- A resource section titled “What Should I Know If I Am Pregnant?”
Students lead the research design and creative aspects of these projects while also engaging with a humanities manuscript each semester. The lab thrives on fostering student independence, interdependence, and autonomy, empowering students to take ownership of their work while contributing to meaningful social change.
By integrating the humanities with urgent real-world issues, we are preparing students not only for their careers but also for lifelong engagement with their communities. Together, we are creating a space where critical research and public education intersect, driven by the goal of transforming the reproductive and maternal health landscape for Black women.
Read more about this work here: https://epic.gsu.edu/black-womens-maternal-reproductive-health/