Emma Peterson, a journalist with Inside Climate News, recently reported on the work of Dr. Denise Moreno-Ramirez, who is using oral histories to enhance her environmental science research. In her PhD project titled “Voices Unheard,” Moreno-Ramirez collects firsthand accounts from local residents in Nogales, Arizona to complement scientific data with personal narratives.
Moreno-Ramirez’s research focuses on the impact of neglected toxic sites on communities and highlights health crises related to historical contamination that were not recognized. By emphasizing the overlooked histories of communities affected by toxic sites, Moreno-Ramirez aims to demonstrate the value of oral histories in scientific research.
In an interview with Chief of the Oral History Society, Rib Davis, it was stated that “The answer isn’t just in science. It’s in people.” This sentiment highlights the importance of incorporating personal stories into scientific research to provide a holistic understanding of environmental health impacts.
By incorporating community stories into scientific research, Moreno-Ramirez believes that a human context can be added to scientific data, leading to better-informed policy decisions. Inclusion of marginalized communities in scientific research has the potential to pave the way for healthier futures for those who have been historically overlooked. To learn more about Moreno-Ramirez’s work and advocacy for inclusive scientific research, explore her essay in our Agents of Change program titled “A Love Note to Brown Women Facing Beauty Injustices.”
