About GRID
The Duke Center on Genomics, Race, Identity, Difference (GRID) is an interdisciplinary hub for research, teaching, and public engagement at the intersections of genetics, race, and society. GRID brings together scholars, students, and practitioners across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and medicine to explore how genomic science shapes—and is shaped by—questions of identity, health, equity, and difference.
Our Mission
GRID advances understanding of how genomics and related sciences influence ideas about race and human variation. We foster scholarship and dialogue that highlight both the scientific complexity and the social implications of genomics, with a focus on equity, ethics, and justice.
What We Do
- Research: Support and conduct interdisciplinary projects examining how genomic knowledge interacts with concepts of race, identity, and difference.
- Teaching & Training: Provide opportunities for students and early-career researchers to engage with cutting-edge issues in genomics and society.
- Community Engagement: Build bridges between Duke, local communities, and national conversations around genetics and equity.
- Events & Dialogue: Host lectures, workshops, and seminars that bring diverse voices into conversation on science, ethics, and society.
Why GRID Matters
As genomics rapidly advances, questions of race, identity, and difference remain central to how science is practiced and understood. GRID ensures these questions are approached with rigor, inclusivity, and a commitment to justice, helping shape research and policy in ways that are socially responsible and scientifically sound.
Race And Genetics Scale (RAGScale™)
The Race And Genetics Scale (RAGScale™) is a measure designed to capture people’s perspectives on race and genetics. It has been used multiple times with individuals across the United States.
The scale consists of one open-ended question followed by 45 Likert scale items that ask respondents to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement. These items are organized into five domains:
- Traits
- Human origins
- Human genetic variation
- Health
- Social construction
We invite you to take our survey. Please select the response that best represents your opinion on each of the items. If you are uncertain about any statements, go with your best guess.
LINK TO SURVEY