About Us

Important Contributions

Since our inception of the program in 2015, the research department at Planned Parenthood North Central States has made important contributions to the science related to:

Testing a new rapid identification test for herpes simplex viruses.
Assessing the efficacy of a new oral contraceptive pill.
Improving post-abortion contraception delivery.
Assessing patient experiences with emergency contraception.
Simplifying patient requirements for medication abortion.
Evaluating patient support volunteer and abortion doula programs.

Mission

The mission of the PPNCS Research Division is to engage in innovative and collaborative research to improve access to equitable and quality sexual and reproductive health. We are committed to the production of knowledgeable and best-practices informed by justice and compassion that affirm the human right to reproductive autonomy.

Vision

Our vision is continued leadership and influence to create radical change in sexual and reproductive health. We aspire to provide expertise in ongoing and emerging issues in the field.

Work with us!

Our Values

Trust-Building

We commit to cultivating trust with communities, research participants, and colleagues by acknowledging the historical harms that research has perpetrated within communities. We understand that trust is earned and engage in ongoing trust-building as a principle. and research has not historically held trust as a principle and practice.

Transparency

We value transparency—providing openness and clear communication with our Planned Parenthood partners, community, and patients through an inclusive and accessible research and dissemination process.

Accountability

We hold ourselves accountable to research participants and their communities by conducting research with intention and purpose, and we take ownership of our decisions, risks, and impacts. We strive to conduct meaningful research with self-reflexivity about our biases to mitigate any inequitable burdens placed on the communities with whom we engage.

Adaptability

We commit to growing and responding to the changing needs of our team, participants’ communities, and the scientific and political landscape. We do so by engaging in interdisciplinary research that values diverse perspectives and feedback and adjusting our work accordingly.

Authenticity

We strive to foster a brave space in which individuals, patients, and community partners can show up as their authentic selves. We commit to examining and understanding who we are as a team and an organization and carefully selecting projects that align with our values.