Fall 2023 CRG Student Research Grantees
TU MOUA CARROZ (Fall 2023)
Department: Berkeley School of Education
Project Title: Exploring the Risk and Resilience Factors for Women of Color as School Superintendents
This project will analyze and synthesize the similarities, differences and patterns across the lived experiences of the women of color who have broken through the glass ceiling and are currently serving as school superintendent. The female superintendents interviewed for this project represent three social categories: African American, Hispanic/Latina, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI). The superintendents' lived experiences will help to shed light on the following questions: (1) What are the career paths women of color take on their journey to superintendency? (2) How is a woman’s specific racial ethnic background reflected in challenges and opportunities for the superintendency? (3) What skills, strategies and supports have contributed to the success of women of color in the superintendency? Additionally, this project is inspired by the research of Rosette et. al (2016), which focuses on the intersection of race and gender and the effects of prescribed stereotypes on how a woman of color is impacted with regards to her agentic competency or deficiency, and whether they are agentically penalized for how they show up as leaders. By lifting these women of color superintendents' stories of strength, courage and resilience, research and practice will benefit greatly because of the implications on the policies and practices of school boards, search firms, and systems of leadership.
RENEE CLARK (Fall 2023)
Department: School of Public Health
Project Title: Reimagining Postpartum Care for Black Birthing People in California: Improving Models of Care & Policy Implications
Black birthing people are three to four times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death when compared to white birthing people. According to the Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. has the highest rates of maternal mortality when compared to other high-income countries. Recent CDC data has shown a huge increase in 2021 to 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births from 23.8 in 2020, which is alarming. Further, Non-Hispanic Black rates increased from 37.3 to 69.9 per 100,000, which were all statistically significant findings. According to the Commonwealth Fund, about 31% of deaths happen during pregnancy, 17% during the time of delivery, and about 52% during the postpartum period. In addition, due to these rates, the federal government in 2022 enacted the (MPCE) Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Extension to provide insurance coverage to 1 year postpartum. This project directly aligns with this policy and allows Medicaid clients insurance coverage to 1 year postpartum. Even though this policy helps to extend insurance access to birthing people to 1 year postpartum, there is little information on what is needed from Black birthing people throughout this 1-year time. Given these gaps, more research is needed on the care and wellbeing needs of Black birthing people up to 1 year after delivery. This research focuses on improving postpartum care in California through investigating the existing models, exploring the needs of Black women and people and generating solutions to improve care delivery during the postpartum period to 1 year through human-centered, future thinking design approaches.
ROSALIE ZDZIENICKA FANSHEL (Fall 2023)
Department: Environmental Science, Policy and Management
Project Title: Anti-Racist and Decolonial Organizational Change Work in Agricultural Higher Education
I am conducting a mixed methods in-depth case study of the University of California, Berkeley, Rausser College of Natural Resources (CNR) to investigate how Historically White Land Grant Universities envision and enact—and inhibit—organizational change to improve anti-racist and decolonial outcomes in their agricultural education. With the CRG Research Grant I will analyze interview data from one of my dissertation sub-studies, “The 2020 Racial Justice Movement and Organizational Change Possibilities in CNR.” The highly visible murder of George Floyd and resulting national racial justice movement potentially created an opening for shifts in dominant ideologies ruling higher education. Many universities made public statements against racism, some specifically naming anti-Blackness for the first time. In addition to analysis of public discourse, the “2020 moment” provides an opportunity to examine how university actors make sense of a call for change, and what organizational features and processes mediate both the enactment and foreclosure of on-the-ground cultural and practical changes. In order to assess whether and how 2020 shifted engagement with anti-racism in CNR, I conducted two in-depth, semi-structured interviews—first in 2020, and again in 2022—with 44 agricultural scholars and administrators with a wide variety of identities, professional positions, values, and experiences.
EMMA GOH EN-YA (Fall 2023)
Department: City and Regional Planning
Project Title: Unearthing the Seeds of Queer Ecology in a Garden City
I am interested in how people involved in both queer and environmental movements engage with the idea of queer ecology in the context of Singapore. To unpack this topic, I pose the following questions – How do people involved in both movements understand queer ecology in relation to their subjectification? How do their conceptualizations of queer ecology extend into their strategies, goals and narratives that they employ within spaces of queer and environmental activism? In an attempt to evaluate the intentions of the people involved in these movements against their results, I also seek to explore how queer movements engage with ecological ideas and conversely, how environmental movements engage with ideas of gender and sexuality. On a broader level, I ask how these overlapping strands of queer and ecological ideas intersect with critical race, postcolonial, feminist and materialist approaches.
ENRIQUE VALENCIA LOPEZ (Fall 2023)
Department: Graduate School of Education
Project Title: More Than a Sorting Machine: Ethnic Boundary Making In Schools In Mexico
My dissertation combines sociological theory, econometrics, natural language processing tools, and educational policy frameworks to examine how educational institutions shape social identities of ethnic minorities in Mexico and the extent to which these social identities, and their measurement, affect estimates of labour market integration. In three papers, I analyse how textbooks have depicted important historical figures and ethnic groups; the extent to which textbooks contribute to increase an individual's likelihood of self-identifying as indigenous; and the extent to which changes in social status lead to changes in self-reported ethnic identification.
ELAINE (HUA) LUO (Fall 2023)
Department: Graduate School of Education
Project Title: Towards a Comprehensive Understanding of Chinese American Adolescents’ Ethnic-Racial Identity: Latent Profile Analyses and Associations with Adjustment
Drawing from García Coll et al.’s (1996) integrative model and the intersectionality perspective (Crenshaw, 1991), this project aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Chinese American adolescents’ gender-specific ethnic-racial identity (ERI) and its associations with indicators of adjustment in the context of racial discrimination and adversity. Findings of this study shed light on the synergic connections between ethnicity/race and gender in shaping Chinese American adolescents’ positionality, attitudes, and beliefs toward their cultural heritage in a diverse society like the U.S. To fill the shortcomings of variable-centered approaches commonly adopted in extant ERI research, I use person-centered analyses to identify unique profiles of ERI attitudes in Chinese American participants and then explore gender differences of these ERI profiles. Lastly, I examine associations between profiles of ERI attitudes and adolescents’ academic, psychological, and social outcomes, followed by analyses on whether these associations vary across genders. In doing so, this work addresses the scarcity of ERI research focusing on Chinese American adolescents and provides insights into the complexities and implications of Chinese American adolescents' gender specific ERI attitudes. Findings also inform early identifications of Chinese American adolescents at risk for maladaptive adjustment and intervention efforts to promote positive youth development in this population.
SAMUEL SANTOS (Fall 2023)
Department: Graduate School of Education
Project Title: Critical Feminist Perspectives on LGBTQ+ Community College Presidents of Color
It is well documented that the U.S. college presidency lacks diversity -- the demographic profile of college leadership remains predominantly White (72.7%) and male (61%) (Melidona et al., 2023). Missing from the discourse is a thorough accounting of LGBTQ+ identities, leaving the field with a dearth of literature on queer college presidents. Nearly all available scholarship is in the form of doctoral dissertations (Bullard, 2013; Coons, 2001; Englert, 2018; Moore, 2017). Furthermore, the two published empirical studies on LGBTQ+ college presidents (Bullard, 2015; Leipold, 2014) also present limitations. They almost exclusively include participants who identify as White, able-bodied, lesbian/gay, middle-class, and cisgender. Driven by the urgent need, this research project offers an intersectional analysis of the U.S. college presidency, including the spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities for college presidents of color, exploring identity and systems of power through both domination and resistance. The primary research question asks: How do LGBTQ+ people of color characterize their ascension to the California Community College presidency? This study evokes a multiple-case design anchored in the conceptual frameworks of intersectionality (Anzaldúa & Moraga, 1981; Collective, 1981; Collins, 2002; Davis, 1983; hooks, 2000; Lorde, 2012; Smith, 1978) and queer theory (Puckett et al., 2021; Warner, 1991).
MICHELLE ZARAGOZA (Fall 2023)
Department: School of Social Welfare
Project Title: Mapping Wellbeing: Utilizing Testimonio and Body Maps to Explore Newcomer Latinx Immigrant Youth Wellbeing Through a Community Cultural Wealth Framework
Drawing from the extensive research on the resettlement experiences of newcomer Latinx immigrant youth in the United States, this study explores the individual, contextual, community, and structural factors that promote mental health and psychosocial well-being among newcomer Latinx immigrant youth (ages 18 to 24). The study relies on asset-based qualitative methods, including testimonio and body map storytelling interviews with youth and semi-structured interviews with mental health professionals. A sophisticated analytic plan informed by Intersectionality, LatCrit, and Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth framework will be used to address the following questions: 1) What are the individual and community factors that promote mental health and well-being among newcomer Latinx immigrant youth? 2) How do the intersections of gender, race, legal status, and migration history shape their experiences with mental health and overall well-being? The study plans to build on a community-engaged partnership through the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare and the Newcomer Wellness Initiative at Oakland Unified School District. By collaborating with a school program serving newcomer immigrant students, this study aims to facilitate a direct pathway for youth’s knowledge to inform recommendations for best practices, policies, and school and community programs that center youth’s mental health and well-being.
ELIZABETH BROWN (Fall 2023)
Department: Sociology
Project Title: Understanding the Relationship Between Domestic Violence Organizations and Alternative High School Students
My research aims to better understand the relationship between domestic violence organizations and alternative high school students. How are domestic violence organizations in the Bay Area addressing the needs of alternative high school students? Current scholarship neglects examination of the relationship between these two institutions. Research shows that currently, the strongest community relationships alternative schools have are with law enforcement. Alternative high school students in California are experiencing rates of violence at twice the rate of their comprehensive high school peers. The research goals for this project include illuminating the relationships between domestic violence organizations and alternative schools, and the organization's knowledge of the specific needs of marginalized youth at higher risk of domestic violence. This research uses qualitative research methodology and semi-structured interviews to examine these relationships more deeply. This research hopes to provide recommendations on how to improve relationships between domestic violence organizations and alternative high school students to provide protective factors against violence.
FRIDA CALVO HUERTA (Fall 2023)
Department: Interdisciplinary Studies
Project Title: Psychosocial Impacts of the UndocuScholars Pilot Peer-Mentorship Program
Undocumented youth and young adults in the United States face a myriad of psychosocial stressors that negatively impact their mental health, including increased risks for depression, anxiety, and self-harming behaviors. Past research has found that undocumented high school students reported negative mental health outcomes due to limited opportunities to study and work, fluctuating fears of deportation, family separation, xenophobia and discriminatory messages. The literature suggests relationships and support from peers dealing with similar challenges mitigates feelings of isolation, hopelessness and lack of control by fostering self-esteem, sense of purpose and belonging. However, individual encouragement and reassurance alone cannot address systemic barriers and do not provide enough help to persevere through stressors, emphasizing the importance of social capital in increasing access to resources and opportunities. This study examines the experiences of undocumented youth and young adults participating in a college access peer mentorship program. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with 14 participants of the UndocuScholars Program, a pilot initiative run by undocumented UC Berkeley students, and 15 undocumented young adults who are navigating higher education. This research seeks to assess the mental health impacts of peer mentoring on undocumented mentees and mentors, and the coping strategies they use to deal with undocumented status-related stressors.
PAOLA CASTELLANOS MARTINEZ (Fall 2023)
Department: Political Science, Ethnic Studies
Project Title: What are the experiences of undocumented students throughout law school?
Drawing from the extensive research on the resettlement experiences of newcomer Latinx immigrant youth in the United States, this study explores the individual, contextual, community, and structural factors that promote mental health and psychosocial well-being among newcomer Latinx immigrant youth (ages 18 to 24). The study relies on asset-based qualitative methods, including testimonio and body map storytelling interviews with youth and semi-structured interviews with mental health professionals. A sophisticated analytic plan informed by Intersectionality, LatCrit, and Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth framework will be used to address the following questions: 1) What are the individual and community factors that promote mental health and well-being among newcomer Latinx immigrant youth? 2) How do the intersections of gender, race, legal status, and migration history shape their experiences with mental health and overall well-being? The study plans to build on a community-engaged partnership through the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare and the Newcomer Wellness Initiative at Oakland Unified School District. By collaborating with a school program serving newcomer immigrant students, this study aims to facilitate a direct pathway for youth’s knowledge to inform recommendations for best practices, policies, and school and community programs that center youth’s mental health and well-being.
NOEMI FRANCO (Fall 2023)
Department: School of Public Health
Project Title: Co-exposures to Environmental and Social Stressors Effects on Pregnant People in Richmond, CA
Both environmental and psychosocial stress, especially during pregnancy both individually and in combination, have been found to increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight, increased gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and more. In addition, people of color and people living in low income communities are disproportionately affected by this issue, with air pollution and stressors affecting their health at much higher rates(Dzekem, 2023). This study will explore the relationship between being exposed to environmental pollutants and psychosocial stressors on pregnant people in a low income community, specifically Richmond, California. Through semi-structured interviews my objective is to understand disparities in health outcomes in Richmond’s low income population made up of mainly Black and Latino individuals and how their geographical location or socioeconomic environment can worsen pregnancy symptoms or cause underlying health conditions. This study hopes to answer the question of health disparities in Richmond for pregnant people living in an underserved and polluted community and examine the ways in which environmental stressors, specifically air pollution and psychosocial stressors such as poverty or hardships can impact the health of the pregnant person during pregnancy pre and postnatally.
ANNA MA (Fall 2023)
Department: Sociology
Project Title: Gender Identity Development Among Nonbinary People of Color
Non-binary is an umbrella term that refers to gender identity groups that are not solely male or female, including individuals whose identity is in between male or female, neither male nor female, or both male and female. Existing research on non-binary gender identity development is scarce and draws almost exclusively on the experiences of white non-binary individuals. As such, very little is known about the gender identity development of non-binary people of color. To address this gap, my research will explore how individuals who identify as both non-binary and people of color develop their dual identities, with a specific focus on understanding how race impacts gender identity development and how racial and gender identity integration occurs. Drawing on data collected from in-depth, semi-structured interviews, this project will offer insight into the lived experiences of non-binary people of color and contribute to a more intersectional understanding of gender identity development.
SARAH OROZCO (Fall 2023)
Department: Sociology
Project Title: Resistance Across Virtual Borders : Transmedia Mobilization of Oaxacan Young Adults in the US and Mexico
My research project operates within the interdisciplinary field of Critical Latinx Indigeneities. This study investigates the transborder migration of Oaxaqueños to the United States in the 1990s, which gave rise to OaxaCalifornia. As a result of community organizing and activism, OaxaCalifornia now boasts a rich history of social mobility. This legacy has been transmitted across generations, with the 21st-century generation inheriting it through the lens of social media. The study will involve a media analysis of social media posts on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok. Additionally, approximately 10 in-person and 5 Zoom interviews will be conducted to establish deeper connections, offering a platform for young adult Oaxacans to express their stories. The objective of this study is to explore how young Oaxacans utilize social media to connect across borders, examining their identity formation and their expression of political and cultural activism.
BIANCCA PARZO (Fall 2023)
Department: School of Social Welfare
Project Title: Equity and Accountability: Equity and Accountability: Race, Culture and Termination of Parental Rights
Several bodies of research have reflected overrepresentation of Black and Indigenous children in all stages of the child welfare system though many disagree as to the cause of this disparities. Despite the volume of research regarding race and the child welfare system, few studies have been done on the causes of termination of parental rights, specifically identifying the reason that Black youth spend longer time in foster care and are less likely to reunify with their birth family. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the conversation regarding the experiences of parents who have gone through termination of parental rights and what, if any, policies or services, increase or decrease the likelihood of this occurrence. This research project seeks to utilize focus groups to obtain qualitative data regarding the experiences of birth parents who have had their parental rights terminated. This data will be reviewed using the trauma informed culturally responsive (TICR) theoretical framework approach in conjunction with Decolonial theory. I hypothesize that there are many resources that are meant to be part of permanency policy that is not equitably accessible to all demographics, leading to increased likelihood of parental rights termination. I also hypothesize that for permanency policies are not culturally responsive or trauma informed, especially for marginalized populations, also increasing the likelihood of termination of parental rights for particular groups.
CYNTHIA RAHMAN (Fall 2023)
Department: Global Studies
Project Title: The Intersection of "Second-Wave" Feminism and Eugenics in the Aftermath of Bangladesh’s 1971 War of Independence
Following the Liberation War, independence from Pakistan led to rape of 200,000 Bengali women by West Pakistani forces and local collaborators. In a mission to ‘purify’ the nation, and re-establish Bengali identity, the government decided to put an exception to the abortion ban Penal Code 1860. This allowed private and state-controlled American population control experts, eugenicists, and so-called “Second-Wave” elite White feminists to set up abortion clinics in Bangladesh. The US spent millions of dollars on abortion in Bangladesh during the neo-Malthusian era of “development” which believed that poor people shouldn’t reproduce, while women in the US had no such access. While most women did voluntary abortions especially right after the war, There is also evidence of large numbers of forced sterilization of Bengali women in the years following the war. While we know that American reproductive rights activists were rallying for access to this right from their governments, how did they feel about their government providing that to Bangladesh? Similarly, how did Bangladeshi women’s rights activists dealing with the aftermath of the 1971 war time rapes view American reproductive rights activists who came to Bangladesh? This research seeks to shed light on the relationship between the US feminist demand for reproductive rights in the early 1970s (in a pre-Roe v Wade US context) and the desire to “empower” women in the Global South, specifically post-1971 Bangladesh through population control policies.
NAIDELYN RODAS (Fall 2023)
Department: School of Public Health
Project Title: Improving Enrollment Rates for Newly Covered Undocumented Adults in California Healthcare Programs
Undocumented Californians make up the largest group of the state’s uninsured population. California, in particular, is one of the few states that are actively moving towards providing healthcare for all. They are the first state to provide state subsidized health insurance to undocumented immigrants. However, as California moves towards this positive direction, it raises questions about how efficiently the state will rebuild trust with communities to ensure that those in need of health insurance receive it. While previous healthcare expansion efforts have demonstrated success in reducing the rate of uninsured undocumented immigrants, the enrollment rates for eligible individuals have remained relatively low. In order to address this gap, my research will investigate current healthcare enrollment services in community health centers serving the undocumented adult population. This includes a thorough examination of their existing practices, identifying effective strategies, and pinpointing areas requiring improvement to increase enrollment rates among the newly covered undocumented population.