About Me
I am a community-engaged researcher whose research is intended to be actionable by and responsive to the needs of my community partners as well as contribute to various academic literatures. I am the founding Faculty Director of Campus + Community, a center devoted to supporting community-engaged research across UCSC and in our surrounding communities. During the pandemic, I formed the Global Recess Alliance with colleagues from around the world to advocate for children's needs even amidst a pandemic. I am on the national planning team of the Urban Research Based Action Network's (URBAN), and am the co-lead Sociology and Santa Cruz nodes. URBAN is a national group of scholars committed to equitable collaborative research with community. I am the chair of the Sociology Action Network, a committee of the American Sociological Association. See my Google Scholar page for links to my publications.
Current Research Focus
I am currently working on projects related to
community engagement, K-12 environments and climate, and postsecondary education environments. My research focuses on understanding the challenges faced by disadvantaged children and youth and the ways that communities and community organizations support young people to be healthy and successful. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, I have conducted research in multiple fields, including: K-12 and post-secondary education, health and wellness, afterschool programs, welfare reform, the digital divide and children's living arrangements. My research has been published in numerous journals, edited volumes, and policy briefs as well as presented at professional conferences, in community forums and in legislative testimony.