The people most affected by social problems are the most knowledgeable about solutions.
Our research begins there.
Our research begins there.
Welcome to the Community Collab Lab!Welcome to the Community Collab Lab
Founded by Dr. Mónica Gutiérrez, the Community Collab Lab partners with communities, students, and organizations to produce research that informs policy, practice, and social change. We believe that the people most affected by social problems are also the most knowledgeable about solutions, and our work is built on that conviction. Centering community knowledge, justice-oriented scholarship, and collaborative inquiry, we work alongside residents, organizers, and practitioners to address pressing social issues and support more equitable futures. What We Study Our research focuses on the intersections of place, power, and belonging, particularly in communities navigating displacement, gentrification, and uneven urban development. We examine how infrastructure decisions like light-rail expansion shape neighborhood life, cultural continuity, and access to resources. We are especially attentive to the experiences of communities of color who bear the weight of these changes while remaining largely absent from the policy conversations that drive them. Our work asks not only what is happening to communities, but what communities are already doing in response, and how research can support those efforts. How We Work Methodology is not incidental to our work; it is central to it. We use community-engaged research approaches that prioritize relationship-building, reciprocity, and shared ownership of the research process. This includes pláticas, an organic, dialogue-centered method rooted in everyday conversation and cultural practice, as well as participatory action research, ethnographic observation, and narrative inquiry. We are committed to producing knowledge with communities rather than about them, and to ensuring that findings are returned in forms that are useful and accessible to the people who helped generate them. Who We Are and Who We're Looking For The Community Collab Lab is a space for students and scholars ready to research differently. We welcome graduate and undergraduate students who are curious, equity-minded, and committed to showing up, both intellectually and relationally. You do not need to have all the answers before joining us. You do need to be willing to sit with complexity, learn from community members, and take seriously the ethical responsibilities that come with this kind of work. We are equally invested in meaningful partnerships with community organizations, advocacy groups, and practitioners working on issues of housing justice, displacement, urban equity, and community health. If you are working on the ground and looking for a research partner who will respect your expertise and your community's time, we want to hear from you. Let's Build Something Together Research at its best is a collective act. Whether you are a student looking for a place to develop your scholarly voice, a community partner seeking collaborative inquiry, or an organization working toward structural change, there is a place for you in this work. We invite you to reach out, ask questions, and explore what it might look like to build together. |
