Professor Ruth Nicole Brown, an expert in gender and women’s studies, will share her thoughts with educators, policymakers, business leaders, media experts, and advocates at the April 28 White House Research Conference on Girls, hosted by the White House Council on Women and Girls. The assistant professor in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership is part of a select group of people at the conference focusing on how to make research on girls more available and accessible to everyone.

Brown is an expert on the experiences of black girls and has written two books on the subject. While at the conference, she intends to share her knowledge, connect with other professionals in the field, and advocate on behalf of those who have worked with her in an organization that celebrates black girlhood. Brown elaborated during a brief question-and-answer session:

What does the conference mean to you and your research?

The White House Council on Women & Girls is a conference that features cutting-edge scholarship on issues that affect girls' lives. The conference is by invitation only and the audience consists of "experts, girl-serving organizations, policy makers, business leaders, and scholars. One emphasis of the conference is to discuss how to make research on issues that affect girls’ lives more accessible to those who will most benefit.

Why were you chosen?

I was invited to participate due to my expertise in girls' studies, a field of inquiry dedicated to the study of issues affecting girls' lives. My specific research interest focuses on black girls and black girlhood. During the conference, I will share information based on my recently published book, “Hear Our Truths: The Creative Potential of Black Girlhood.”

How do you intend to participate and what do you hope to accomplish?

I intend to actively participate in the conference by sharing my ideas and specifically discussing the issues that are important to girls of color. I look forward to connecting with others interested in improving the conditions that influence girls’ lives. Also, I am eager to share what I learn with others in Champaign-Urbana who work with girls. Most importantly, I intend to advocate on behalf of the girls and young women with whom I have worked with for the last eight years in Saving Our Lives Hear Our Truths (SOLHOT).