Although there has been growing recognition of how stigma affects patients and physicians, the impact on biomedical and public health researchers remains relatively understudied. This paper addresses this gap by interviewing researchers in various healthcare fields – including HIV/AIDS, transgender health, and sexual violence – culminating in a community podcast, “Brave Research”. It highlights the challenges researchers face, including structural barriers and societal attitudes, and the importance of community support and strategies for managing public criticism and burnout. This project ultimately aims to promote peer support and mentorship among researchers facing stigma, fighting feelings of isolation, and promoting solidarity, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, leading to more comprehensive and higher-quality research.
