Social Justice and Equity Research and Creative Activities
I’m very proud of a recent project undertaken by our Research and Creative Activities team; spearheaded by Post Award Specialist Elizabeth Lee, facilitated by our new Associate Dean Stephanie Santorico, and supported by Pre Award Specialist Carol Achziger. They conducted a survey to gain insight into research and creative activities at CU Denver focused on topics of social justice and equity. The opportunity was shared with other schools and colleges, and ultimately captured more than 80 responses (with most schools and colleges represented). The work they did demonstrates the breadth and depth of the work done by CU Denver faculty, staff, and students around these critical issues.
Looking over the results, I'm struck by how many really important quests for knowledge are underway, and how vast the impacts of these inquiries might be. Critical studies going on right now can inform policy, impact reform, and educate the voting populace. The complete data the survey gathered can be found here, but I’d like to highlight just a few projects:
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Maren Scull, Clinical Assistant Professor of Sociology, recently conducted a survey and 35 in-depth interviews with LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff on the Auraria, Boulder, and Anschutz Medical campuses to assess the proximal and distal stressors of individual experiences.
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Communication Professor Sarah Fields (with colleagues) is analyzing the impact of Child Access Prevention laws, which punish adult gun-owners when children discharge those fire arms and kill someone.
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Clinical Assistant Professor of English Emily Wortman-Wunder has been investigating the colonial biases inherent in the archaeology of the ancient Southwest.
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Studying Puerto Rico as a tourist destination and site of “natural” disasters, Communication Assistant Professor Catalina de Onis demonstrates how fossil fuel economies are inextricably entwined with colonial practices.
Because external funding for research and creative activities like these is limited we should be proud of producing knowledge like this even in precarious and challenging times. Much of the work at the university on these topics is funded through internal awards (e.g., from the Office of Research Services) as well as by supporting faculty who take on this work as a part of their contracted duties during the academic year. The body of knowledge gathered at our institution represents a major contribution that CU Denver makes to the community, the state, and the world.
All of you please keep up the good work!
Pam