Developmental Science in the Twenty-First Century: Moving Forward to Integrate Cultural and Racial Processes into Research

In this chapter, we highlight four important overarching suggestions for scholars committed to a diverse developmental science. Although the recommendations are not exhaustive, we discuss thematically four pivotal considerations in the pursuit of an integrated diversity-focused developmental science. The first recommendation is to acknowledge power, privilege, and whiteness to center stratification and oppression in our quest for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Second, it is imperative to more fully describe samples to enhance external validity and build scholarship on marginalized and minoritized populations. The third recommendation is to engage in a culturally anchored methodology that spans the research process and includes multiple stakeholders. Finally, research teams must be expanded to include the expertise of the diverse populations of interest. With the four recommendations, we provide a launching pad for budding and seasoned scholars to meaningfully integrate diversity in developmental science. These suggestions, taken up by developmental science, can incrementally make strides to transform and sustain a diverse developmental science.