Research Projects

The VOICE Lab actively engages in research to amplify the narratives of marginalized communities, with a special emphasis on the lived experiences of immigrants to the United States of America. Our research examines the affordances of digital literacies in storytelling and the influence and implementation of critical pedagogies in Language Arts classrooms and out-of-school learning spaces. Our findings have significance for teachers, teacher-educators, researchers, and policymakers. 

West African Youth Navigating Identity Narratives Via Podcasting

This study was designed as a three-week summer podcasting program that supported 17 BIY from various nations in West Africa. The findings from this study have contributed to the proliferation of many authentic, agentive stories of BIY. The findings have also illuminated the nature of the narratives that BIY author, as well as provide insight on how podcasting as civically engaged storytelling (PACES) can support BIY and other students in ELA learning spaces. Use the link to the left to view elements of this study. 

Island Roots, Farrin' Dreams: Caribbean Immigrants' Narratives of the Journey 

This project uses the authentic narrative method to amplify the narratives of immigrants from the Caribbean and Latin America. We completed Phase One of the project in 2024, where we focused on narratives from the Caribbean. We are currently in Phase Two where we are recruiting participants from the Caribbean and Latin America. View our recruitment flyer below and reach out and use the link to the left to learn more about this study. We look forward to partnering with you to share your story! 

Social Media Content Analysis- Engaging with Anti-African Discourses on TikTok

In this study we employ critical discourse analysis and content analysis to analyze how one content creator engages with and disrupts anti-African discourses using TikTok as a platform for engagement.