Stephanie Serriere, an IUPUC education professor, has received a research grant from the Indiana University Racial Justice Research Fund.
The grant will fund Serriere’s study of how “external factors such as school and community support youth activists with a focus on racial equity,” according to IUPUC.
In her past research, Serriere has focused on ways in which elementary school curriculum and teaching methods support youth engagement in broader issues of social justice. Her upcoming study will focus on the following questions:
“How do Indiana’s schools and communities prepare, support or impede youth activists’ work in taking informed action for racial justice?”
“What opportunities, in and outside of school, do youth have and need to learn and develop the knowledge and skills of civic engagement?”
The study involves a “quantitative survey of students ages eight to 18 from south central Indiana who are active in the Black Lives Matter movement or other racial equity projects, IUPUC officials said. It will also involve “qualitative” interviews for some respondents.
The study will be aided by the Council for Youth Development of Bartholomew County. CYD’s support will include determining relevant survey and interview questions, as well as reaching out to local youth activists.
Serriere believes this research can help provide anti-racist frameworks for teacher preparation programs and in K-12 schools across the state.
Dr. Jennifer Conner, Head of IUPUC’s Division of Education, said in an official statement, “This world is continually changing at an ever-rapid pace, and the students are becoming more and more involved in shaping their own communities. It is critical that educators understand ways in which they can help support all students with the knowledge and skills needed to be civically engaged.”
Serriere will begin the research during the current academic year. The results will be analyzed next summer and presented after that time. Students interested in participating can contact her via email at [email protected].
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This fund is jointly supported by IU’s Office of the Vice President for Research and the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs. It provides grants of up to $15,000 for research by IU faculty focused on racial equity and justice.
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