Bringing Attention to Overlooked Histories: A Researcher’s Mission to Advocate for Environmental Justice through Oral Histories

As a researcher, Denise Moreno-Ramirez has made it her mission to bring attention to the overlooked histories of communities impacted by pollution through the use of oral histories in her environmental science research. Growing up in Nogales, Arizona, she witnessed firsthand the health crises that were linked to historical contamination in her community. This personal experience fueled her passion for environmental justice and led her to pursue a PhD project titled “Voices Unheard.”

In this project, Moreno-Ramirez gathered firsthand accounts from locals to complement scientific data with personal narratives, emphasizing the importance of community stories in scientific research. By integrating these stories into environmental health research, she brings a human perspective to scientific findings that can inform policy decisions and address environmental injustices.

Chief of the Oral History Society, Rib Davis, sums up this approach by stating, “The answer isn’t just in science. It’s in people.” This innovative approach underscores the importance of oral histories in scientific research and challenges the trend of impersonal data analysis. By incorporating community voices into the conversation, researchers like Moreno-Ramirez are paving the way for healthier futures for marginalized populations.

Moreno-Ramirez’s emphasis on inclusivity in scientific research has the potential to drive positive change and advocate for informed policies that benefit those most affected by environmental injustices. Through her work, she is bringing attention to the often overlooked histories of communities impacted by pollution and working towards a more equitable future for all.