UC Davis Awards Grants for 14 Projects Advancing the Principles of Community
Faculty-led projects explore how learning, working and caring for one another can reflect the university’s shared values.
What helps a student feel comfortable asking for support? What makes it possible for colleagues to disagree respectfully? How can a university better understand whether its stated values are reflected in people’s everyday experiences?
Fourteen faculty-led projects receiving support through the UC Davis IDEA Research Collective will explore these questions and others, connecting the Principles of Community to research, teaching and institutional practice.
The projects span disciplines and UC Davis locations, addressing subjects ranging from student access to research and faculty well-being to artificial intelligence, clinical communication and community storytelling.
The awards grew out of the spring 2026 call, “Advancing the UC Davis Principles of Community through Research, Institutional Culture & Education.” Offered through Inclusive Excellence, the initiative supports faculty inquiry into the conditions that shape learning environments, workplace climate and organizational culture.
The call included two complementary tracks: new and reimagined scholarship, and faculty contributions to educational programming. Across both, the emphasis is on sharing knowledge in ways colleagues can use—from research publications and policy briefs to teaching resources, workshops and facilitated discussions.
That approach reflects the mission of The Institute for Dissemination, Engagement and Access (IDEA) connecting scholarship with the people who can put it into practice. Through the IDEA Research Collective, participating faculty will also have opportunities to exchange ideas and share what they learn across disciplines.
Phase two Strengthening workplace culture through SHARE
The investment continues with a second phase through the new SHARE Grant, or Strengthening Habits of Accountability, Respect, and Empathy, which will provide up to $100,000 across two fiscal years to support practical, evidence-informed educational offerings that bring the Principles of Community to life across UC Davis Health.
Together, the IDEA and SHARE grants connect faculty inquiry with opportunities for learning and practice, supporting the ongoing work of making the Principles of Community part of everyday life at UC Davis.
Funded Projects
Health Equity Scholars in Action: Writing Retreat 2026
Kupiri “Piri” Ackerman, interim associate vice chancellor for Health Equity by Design for Inclusive Excellence (HEDI); Associate dean for student affairs and inclusive excellence; Professor, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing.
Examines how structured writing support can help faculty and trainees engaged in health equity research advance their scholarship. Planned resources include guidance on sustainable writing practices and institutional support.
Instructor Mental Health Disclosure: Increasing Student Help-Seeking in STEM
Natalia Caporale, associate professor of teaching, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, College of Biological Sciences.
Investigates how instructors’ discussions of their own mental health experiences may influence students’ willingness to seek support. The work will inform faculty resources and educational programming.
Community as Infrastructure: How UC Davis Principles of Community Support Black Women Faculty Advancing Justice and Equity Scholarship
Brittany D. Chambers Butcher, associate professor, Department of Human Ecology, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Explores how Black women faculty engaged in justice- and equity-focused scholarship experience and enact the Principles of Community. Findings will inform recommendations concerning faculty retention, advancement and well-being.
PEAR: Promoting Equal Access to Research
Robert Furrow, associate professor of teaching, Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Addresses the often-unspoken expectations students encounter when pursuing research careers. The project combines a professional skills seminar with faculty development and openly available teaching resources.
Supporting Hospitalized Patients Who Are Refugees: Trauma-Informed Health-Related Social Needs Screening and Clinical Response
Cherie Ginwalla, professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine.
Develops and pilots tools to help health care teams identify and respond to the social needs of hospitalized patients and families who have experienced displacement, with guidance informed by community perspectives.
Radiology and Imaging Science Scholars (RISS)
Felipe Godinez, assistant professor, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine.
Examines how mentorship, clinical exposure and research experiences influence students’ interest in radiology careers, while also exploring what mentors gain from participating.
From Principles to Practice: Structural Determinants of Faculty Well-Being and Institutional Accountability at UC Davis
Tiffani J. Johnson, associate professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine.
Examines how institutional practices align with faculty experiences and how that relationship affects belonging, well-being, advancement and retention. Planned products include recommendations and practical resources for departments and leaders.
Deep Listening
Margaret Kemp, professor and chair, Department of Theatre and Dance, College of Letters and Science.
Supported through the educational programming track, this project draws on listening, reflection and community storytelling to foster understanding and connection across disciplines.
Experiencing Veterinary Education: Perspectives of Asian American Students
Andrea Lam, associate professor, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine.
Explores students’ experiences of belonging, participation and professional identity. Findings will be shared through scholarship and a facilitated discussion with the veterinary community.
Speak Up, Repair, and Restore Trust: A Scalable Pilot to Advance Communication, Psychological Safety, and Professional Well-Being in High-Intensity Clinical Environments at UC Davis
Zachary Lum, assistant professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine.
Examines communication, respectful disagreement and trust in high-intensity clinical environments. Findings will inform practical tools to support speaking up, repairing relationships and strengthening workplace culture.
Integrating Academic Freedom, Expression, and Equality Law to Strengthen Inclusion-Centered Education
Brian Soucek, Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law, School of Law.
Supported through the educational programming track, this project brings faculty expertise on academic freedom, expression and equality into accessible resources for university learning and discussion.