Research United Data Core

The Research United Data Core (RU Data Core) carries the initials of our founder’s father, Reginald Unseld, who nurtured her curiosity as a child and encouraged her to observe and ask questions. This is a nine-member national collaborative nesting within the infrastructure of Coming Clean and co-led by UJDP and Coming Clean. The goals of this initiative include supporting and sustaining community-led and community-serving research that is accessible, actionable and open access. The RU Data Core will move responsively to assist communities most impacted by climate change and environmental racism through free data consulting, effective communication strategy, and providing training to use research in advocacy. It will use the train-from-within approach, where communities will teach other communities research methods, with assistance from the Data Core, if necessary. Communities will also receive education on necessary legal, certifications, and insurance needs.

There are current plans and funder interests in soft-launching this in Kentucky, starting with the organization Rubbertown for Emergency ACTion in West Louisville, where around a dozen of Title V Risk Management Plan facilities pollute the predominantly Black surrounding communities every day. UJDP hopes to formalize partnerships with two researchers at the University of Kentucky. One is from Eastern KY and the other has strong community connections in Eastern Kentucky to ensure our work is community-led.