Bridging the Identity Gap: New Free Digital Tool Revolutionizes Demographic Research Data

Gabriel 'Joey' Merrin, an assistant professor at the College of Arts and Sciences, has developed a pioneering, free digital tool designed to modernize how researchers collect and handle identity data. Reflecting on his own childhood experiences with restrictive, exclusionary demographic forms, Merrin engineered a solution that allows for the collection of inclusive, multi-layered identity information without the traditional technical hurdles that complicate statistical analysis. This new software simplifies the process of allowing participants to 'select all that apply,' thereby improving both the participant experience and the accuracy of the resulting data. By replacing outdated, binary-centric survey models with a more flexible, standardized digital architecture, the tool addresses the ethical and scientific necessity for accurate representation in social science. As institutional research continues to grapple with systemic biases, this development offers a crucial pathway for researchers to produce more representative, reliable data that better reflects the nuances of modern, intersectional identity in an increasingly diverse global landscape.