Our work.
Based in Indiana, our team leads community-engaged research across the US, focusing on the Midwest and regions most affected by restrictive abortion policies. In 2026, our ongoing projects span Indiana, Missouri, and South Dakota.
We conduct research that informs policy and practice while deepening our understanding of how reproduction and its regulation influence health outcomes and shape our broader social world.
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PARC works with community organizations to evaluate the impact of programmatic efforts and provide insights about how to best meet the needs of their clients. Are you a researcher, clinician, activist, advocate, or community organization interested in collaborating? Email us.
Selected Projects
Midwest Abortion and Pregnancy Loss (MAPL)
Focus: Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri
MAPL examines how state-level abortion restrictions affect the provision of care for pregnancy loss while addressing a critical gap in the literature by centering patients’ voices in research on miscarriage in the United States. We conducted in-depth interviews with 44 individuals who experienced pregnancy loss between 2018 and 2023 to generate recommendations for improving care. This project was supported by the Women's Global Health Institute.
Building on this work, we are conducting in-depth interviews with individuals who attempt to obtain abortion care in Indiana under the state’s limited exceptions. This project aims to inform practical recommendations for improving patient care and to develop a deeper understanding of how restrictive policies shape clinical practice and patient experiences.
Patient treatment during pregnancy losses, terminations, and complications
Focus: Indiana
In collaboration with Indiana University School of Medicine and UCSF, this project examined how Indiana's abortion ban affected practice for pregnancy complications, terminations, and losses in emergency care settings. This project was supported by the Greenwall Foundation and the Clifford B. Kinley Trust.
The Pasque Project
Focus: South Dakota
In collaboration with the Pasque Project, we are conducting community-based research in South Dakota to understand the reproductive health needs and experiences of immigrant women. This project is supported by the Society of Family Planning.
Experiences of Postpartum Hourly Workers
Focus: Indiana
This ongoing study aims to document the experiences of recently postpartum, hourly wage workers in Indiana with workplace lactation accommodations to develop practical recommendations to strengthen workplace accommodations and support individuals in advocating for themselves at work. This project is supported by the Center for Working Well.
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Interested in sharing your experience for this research study? Learn more here.
Pregnancy and Abortion Care in Environmental Disaster (PACED)
Focus: North Carolina
Contraception, pregnancy, and abortion care are known to be disrupted during and after environmental disasters. This research focuses on the experiences of key-informants, including birth doulas, abortion doulas, OB-GYNs, nurses, and midwives, who were involved in providing pregnancy care to North Carolina residents during and after Hurricane Helene.
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Project report coming soon!
RBY Evaluation
Focus: Missouri
Right By You (RBY) is a youth-focused, reproductive justice text line connecting Missourians to abortion care, birth care, adoption and parenting supports, contraception, and information about their rights. We reviewed the texts RBY received between April 1, 2023 and October 31, 2023 and documented a need for personalized, responsive support around appointment scheduling, privacy, and abortion funding. Text messaging lines, like Right By You, offer a promising, low-barrier platform to deliver this support in a youth-friendly, confidential manner.