Research Experience

Youth Climate Council Project

04/2026 – Present

Co-Investigator, Rutgers University School of Social Work

Youth Climate Advisory Councils have emerged across nonprofit and government sectors as a mechanism for incorporating youth voice into climate governance. Guided by a critique of the tokenization of youth participation, this study examines how young people experience these spaces or what conditions meaningfully support their engagement. Based on semi-structured interviews with youth participants, we identify potential facilitators and barriers to authentic power-sharing and shared governance. Principal Investigator: Sara Wilf, California Polytechnic University, Pomona

Youth/Young Adult Online Voting Mobilization Strategies: 2020 & 2024    

02/2026 - Present

Co-Investigator, Rutgers University School of Social Work

This study analyzes social media posts from two cohorts of youth across the 2020 and 2024 election cycles. We analyze the posts to construct a typology of contemporary youth ‘get out the vote’ strategies online, noting important themes and key shifts in online voting mobilization among youth and young adults. Principal Investigator: Sara Wilf, California Polytechnic University, Pomona

Beyond Restriction: Critical Digital Literacy & Democratic Participation of Youth in Social Media Governance

01/2025 - Present

Principal Investigator, Rutgers University School of Social Work       

Leading a research group through multiple projects aimed at developing critical digital literacy approaches that center issues of power and oppression with/for youth, and exploring how we can move beyond restrictive approaches to addressing the problems and perils of social media through the democratic participation and collaboration of young people.

YPAR Measurement Project

11/2024 – Present

Co-Investigator, Rutgers University School of Social Work                                

As part of the YPAR Network (hosted by UC Berkeley’s YPAR Hub). Work in the YPAR Measurement Topic Interest Group led by Dr. Michelle Abraczinskas (University of Florida). Working with YPAR researchers to increase YPAR quality and accountability by analyzing current approaches to measuring YPAR practice and outcomes, and identifying gaps. This includes a review of measures and development of an open-access YPAR measurement repository.

Adult Readiness for YPAR

09/2024 – Present

Co-Investigator, Rutgers University School of Social Work                               

As part of the YPAR Network (hosted by UC Berkeley’s YPAR Hub). Work in the Adult Readiness Topic Interest Group led by Dr. Heather Kennedy (University of Colorado). Working with YPAR researchers across disciplines, geographies and practice contexts to examine and develop resources focused on improving the readiness of adults to facilitate Youth Participatory Action Research with rigor and integrity to the principles of YPAR epistemology.

Virtual School Climate: An Integrated Approach

01/2024 - Present

Co-Principal Investigator, Rutgers University School of Social Work

A study that aims to develop and test a model of school climate that accounts for both online and in-person social and learning environments.  Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Adrian Gale, Rutgers University

Youth Sense of Community & Sociopolitical Participation: An Intersectional Approach

11/2025 – 05/2026

Principal Investigator, Rutgers University School of Social Work                      

Using the Future of Families and Child Well-Being Study data, we are building a more intersectional approach to understanding the relationship between SoC and youth sociopolitical action.

Digital Citizenship, Digital Resilience, and IPV Survivors

01/2024 – 01/2025

Co-Investigator, Rutgers University School of Social Work

Analyst for a series of qualitative studies (1) examining the use of technology for digital resilience among youth and youth adult survivors of interpersonal violence, and (2) the development of a community-engaged digital citizenship curriculum. Co-Investigator: Heather Storer, University of Louisville

Liberatory Consciousness Framework in Action: A Collaborative Autoethnography Project with Social Work Faculty                                   

06/2023 - Present

Principal Investigator, Rutgers University School of Social Work

Facilitating a collaborative autoethnography with fellow Rutgers University School of Social Work faculty. We are critically examining the implementation of the Liberatory Consciousness Framework in the clinical social work MSW courses.

Digital Resilience Strategies Across the Lifespan                                             04/2023 - Present

Co-Principal Investigator, Rutgers University School of Social Work

A scoping review launched from the Resilience Portfolio Consortium. Lead a multi-disciplinary, multi-sector group of people in investigating the research question: What are the key factors and current strategies that contribute to the development of digital resilience across the lifespan? We analyze the literature paying particular attention to factors and strategies used by and with marginalized populations.

Social Media and Youth Sociopolitical Development                                

07/2020 – 06/2022

Principal Investigator, University of Washington School of Social Work

Aims to address the questions: (1) In what ways does social media facilitate youth sociopolitical development (SPD)? And (2) What are the limitations of social media as an effective tool for youth SPD? A multi-site case study with participatory analysis and youth-led photovoice project. Principal investigator for all research activities. NIH Award Number TL1 TR002318.

Best Starts for Kids Youth Development Measurement Project              01/2020 – 12/2021

Research Analyst, University of Washington School of Social Work

A continuation of the 2018-2019 community-based youth development measurement project (see below). I facilitated the development of participatory advisory board to oversee the refinement of the tool, conducted qualitative research into the structure and content of the survey, conducted second round of psychometric testing. Also participated in all stages/tasks of survey development and testing. Contract funded by King County Public Health.  PI: Mike Spencer

COVID-19, BLM and Teacher Racial Consciousness  in a Puget Sound Middle School: An autoethnographic case study          03/2020 – 11/2020    

Principal Investigator, University of Washington School of Social Work

A teacher-participatory autoethnographic project exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and BLM movement of 2020 on racial equity improvement efforts in a Puget Sound middle school. I designed the research study, recruited participants, trained participants in autoethnographic methods and managed the logistics of data collection. I will be analyzing the data alongside teachers, and the data will be integrated into a larger school improvement project in the Summer of 2020.

Pro-Justice Student Union Research & Action: School Climate and Social Justice

 12/2019 – 05/2020

Co-PI, UW & CSU School of Social Work

A participatory research-practice partnership with a high school student group in Renton Public Schools called the Pro-Justice Union (PJU). Supported Youth Participatory Action Research efforts led by PJU, and launched a complimentary research project with teachers and administrators, guided by the PJU’s research results and school-based action. Managed all local aspects of the project, and was a principal investigator. Tiffany Jones (CSU) is co-PI and funder of project.

Examining Culture of Compliance and School Discipline                        

 12/2019 – 08/2020

Project Manager & Research Analyst, Co-PI, UW & CSU School of Social Work

A research-practice partnership with a middle school in Renton Public Schools. I worked with teachers, staff and administrators on the school’s racial equity team to identify pressing issues relating to school climate. We designed a research-practice project focusing on the school’s culture of compliance and racial disproportionality in school discipline. It is a mixed-methods study. The racial equity team was involved in methodological design and all teachers were involved in data analysis and action-planning. Tiffany Jones (CSU) is co-PI and funder of project.

VOYCE Whakarongo Mai Youth Participation Project                              

06/2019 – 11/2019

Research Assistant, University of Washington School of Social Work

In partnership with the University of Auckland. Project aims to answer the question: ‘What constitutes good practice in relation to ethical, culturally sound engagement and participation of children and young people involved with child protection services in programme governance, policy making, service design and research?’ I contributed to a scoping review. PI: Susan Kemp

SEL Consortium Documentation Project                                                      

06/2019 – 10/2019

Research Analyst, University of Washington School of Social Work

A study of the development, process and outcomes of a 2-year research-practice partnership called the SEL Consortium. The SEL Consortium has regular participation from: 6 regional school district officials, King County Public Health, Out-of-School-Time (OST) providers, intermediary organizations and non-academic research partners. I participated in all stages/tasks of project, and of the consortium. PI: Tiffany Jones

Federal Way Public Schools: Exploring the role of Community-based  Organizations in school climate and positive racial identity development    

01/2019 – 12/2019    

Research Assistant, University of Washington School of Social Work

A research-practice partnership with Federal Way Public Schools. Focuses on the role of community-based organizations in schools as it relates to school climate. Conducted focus groups and completed analysis. PI: Charles Lea III

Bullying, School Climate and Racial Equity: Using Data and Youth Perspectives to Improve School Climate 01/2019 – 12/2019

Research Analyst, University of Washington School of Social Work

A research-practice partnership with Renton Public Schools. The purpose of the study is to better understand students’ experiences as school, especially school culture and climate, experiences of bullying and experiences related to racial and social equity. I participated in all stages/tasks of project and design/facilitated interactive data analysis and improvement planning workshops with teachers. PI: Tiffany Jones & Charles Lea III

Best Starts for Kids: Youth Development Measurement Project

05/2018 – 12/2019

Research Analyst, University of Washington, School of Social Work

Develop and validate a community-based protective and promotive youth development measurement tool that is responsive to: racial, ethnic and social identity development, social and emotional development and enabling program environments. Completed literature review, landscape assessment, lead focus groups, organized and conducted cognitive interviews, helped develop methodological plan, created survey, administered pilot, psychometric testing of survey items, worked with community partners on construct and survey development. Contract funded by King County Public Health. PI: Charles Lea III

Enhancing Data-Driven Decision Making for School Improvement  at the Seattle Public Schools 9/2017 – 4/2018

Research Assistant, University of Washington, School of Social Work,

Funded by Seattle Public Schools. Partnered with district to make recommendations for student school climate survey design based on youth input. Organized and facilitated cognitive interviews with children and youth (grades K-12) across the school district. Coded qualitative data & contributed to final recommendations. PI: Todd Herrenkohl