Boosting Representation and Validity in Pediatric Electroencephalography Research: The Conceptualization, Development, and Implementation of the Curly Hair Specialist Initiative

Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings often use caps or nets placed on the scalp. However, most are not designed to accommodate curly and coiled hair types, prevalent among individuals of African descent. This limitation results in the collection of suboptimal data that may be excluded from scientific research, raising questions about the generalizability of findings and the applicability of resultant knowledge to these populations. In response, researchers have proposed more inclusive EEG methodology, including using caps with tall pedestals and braiding techniques to improve data quality. Despite this advancement, tall pedestal nets fall short in addressing the need for clear scalp exposure, which is particularly important when capping children with voluminous hair. Similarly, braiding techniques have shown promise in small-scale studies involving adults, but their broader application remains unexplored in younger populations. To bridge these gaps, we introduce a novel approach for advancing representation and validity through the integration of curly hair specialists (CHSs) in pediatric EEG research. We examine the multifaceted role of CHSs and outline the processes involved in conceptualizing, developing, and implementing the CHS Initiative. We also offer a modified design for implementing this model in less resourced contexts and discuss community-based participatory research methods that informed our approach.