This is us: Muna Aikins

How does racism experienced in childhood affect our health across a lifetime? Muna Aikins from the MPRG Biosocial is investigating this question. In this interview, she explains how early experiences of racism leave lasting marks on both physical and mental health. As the lead researcher of the Afrozensus research project, she helped deliver the first comprehensive survey capturing the experiences of Black people in Germany. 

One of your research topics at the MPRG Biosocial explores how childhood and adolescent experiences of racism influence lifelong mental and physical health disparities. What fascinates you about this topic?

Muna Aikins: It is important to me to examine the profound, often overlooked, impact that early-life stressors, such as racism, can have on long-term health. As a social determinant of health, racism not only shapes individual outcomes but also influences how entire communities experience access to opportunities and resources. My research brings together psychology, biology, sociology, and public health, to explore how social inequities impact both the body and mind over time. By studying this, we can better address one of the root causes of health disparities. 

Can you elaborate on how experiences of racism during childhood and adolescence influence mental and physical health outcomes across a person's lifespan?

Muna Aikins: Experiences of racism during childhood and adolescence have been shown to trigger stress responses that become chronic over time, leading to mental and physical health disparities. In the short term, exposure to racism can lead to anxiety, depression, and lowered self-esteem. However, when these stressors persist, they can also have long-lasting effects on biological systems. In addition to biological impacts, the social dimensions of racism —such as reduced access to quality education, healthcare, and employment —compound these health effects, reinforcing disparities over time. 

Could you share more details about your current research? 

Muna Aikins: I am currently finalizing a project that analyzes longitudinal data from a U.S. cohort to examine the relationship between racism, mental health, and accelerated biological aging in childhood and adolescence. My final PhD study, based in Germany, explores Black families' lived experiences to understand how racialization affects child development and mental health. 

How do you intend to engage communities throughout your research process?

Muna Aikins: We apply Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) principles to ensure communities are active partners and not reduced to subjects of research. This approach ensures the research reflects their lived experiences and interests. By starting with smaller study designs, we build collaborations with communities’ stakeholders and engage in critical reflection as a scientific institution. Key practices include co-designing studies, ensuring community data ownership, and providing access to findings, which can be used for communities’ empowerment and advocacy.  

You co-led the first Afrozensus research project, the first comprehensive survey on racism and discrimination against Black people in Germany. Could you share some experiences?  How does this inform your approach to studying racism and discrimination in your doctoral research?

Muna Aikins: Leading the Afrozensus research project was a transformative experience. As the first large-scale survey of nearly 6,000 Black, African, and Afro-diasporic individuals in Germany, it documented the impact of anti-Black racism and discrimination across 14 areas of life, including education, employment, and health care. It highlights the value of participatory research, positioning communities as key agents of knowledge production. 

This directly informs my doctoral research on how racism, particularly in formative childhood and adolescence, influences long-term health outcomes. The Afrozensus solidified my commitment to communities-driven methodologies and expanded my understanding of structural racism, which I now apply to both the social and biological dimensions of health disparities.

Are there protective factors or interventions that can mitigate the long-term effects of racism during childhood? 

Muna Aikins: Structural change is essential, addressing racism at systemic levels and recognizing it as an ongoing process, not just isolated incidents, is crucial. Our research highlights the importance of communities’ resources, racial identity, and responses to racism in mitigating its long-term effects on children. 

What challenges do you face in conducting participatory research, especially when addressing sensitive topics like racism? 

Muna Aikins: One of the biggest challenges is building trust and establishing structures and spaces where participants feel safe, valued, and willing to share their experiences. This requires time and relational care.   

Academic institutions and research frameworks often prioritize knowledge production and research outputs over the relational work necessary for research with racially marginalized communities. Navigating these challenges demands a commitment to co-creation, ethical reflexivity, and a willingness to challenge institutional norms. It requires creating mechanisms for ongoing engagement, ensuring that findings benefit communities, and acknowledging the emotional labor involved in sharing experiences of racism.

When did you realize that you wanted to go into science, and what advice would you give your younger self at the beginning of a scientific career?    

Muna Aikins: My master's program combined academic approaches with communities-building grassroots projects.  I worked on communities’ initiatives focused on communities’ knowledge and empowerment, addressing structural barriers. This experience shaped my perspective that research should go beyond theory to drive practical solutions and social impact. It also strengthened my commitment to exploring the potential of science in uncovering the underlying mechanisms of social inequities. 

My advice to my younger self would be to approach bridging communities work and academia with care and patience. The gaps between these worlds are significant—balancing the urgency of communities’ needs with the slower pace of academic research requires navigating different expectations, goals, and systems of knowledge production. 

What do you appreciate about the Max Planck Community?   

Muna Aikins: I value the collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment, the strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research, and the freedom to explore innovative ideas. The commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge inspires me. 

You can find more information about the background story here.

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