OUR MISSION AND WHO WE ARE

Our research collaborative includes faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students who are interested in communication, immigration, and reducing inequities. Guided by a social ecological model of resilience, we use quantitative and qualitative methods to examine how stressors, rooted in structural barriers, are associated with the health and wellbeing of immigrant youth. We focus on undocumented immigration, family separation and reunification, interpreting for adult family members under stressful conditions, and racial/ethnic discrimination. In addition, we conduct research that identifies promotive factors at different levels (e.g., individual, interpersonal, community, institutional, cultural, state, and federal) to cultivate resilience and promote thriving.

OUR APPROACH

Our members use a variety of quantitative and qualitative methodologies that include, for example, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, intense longitudinal surveys, experiments, audio-recorded conversations, and video-recorded interactions. We welcome and appreciate all methodologies and theoretical perspectives.

OUR GOALS

We strive to form partnerships with different stakeholders such as high school administrators and staff; college/university administrators, staff, faculty, and students; Directors and Coordinators at college/university Undocumented Student Services and DREAM Centers; mental health professionals; radio shows and podcast shows; and community-based organizations. We hope that our work will help reduce educational and health inequities and promote wellbeing for minoritized individuals.