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Knowledge Construction To Advance Democracy in The  21st Century

Thomas Piñeros Shields, Ph.D.

Dr. Piñeros Shields is a 30-year veteran educator in experiential learning.  He has developed internships and field experiences at local, national and international levels.  His research emphasizes youth as social movement actors. His work

includes over two decades of experience conducting community-based participatory research, program evaluation and policy analyses for local, national and international youth and community programs including civic engagement, K-12 success, higher education access, out-of-school programs, opioid abuse prevention and urban community development.

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Dr. Piñeros Shields is an Associate Teaching Professor of Sociology.  He was the founding director of the UMASS Lowell  Master of Public Administration (MPA) program until June 2021.

Professional headshot of Thomas Piñeros Shields

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Undocumented Immigrant Students 

Immigrants who entered the U.S. as children (the 1.5 generation) face unique challenges of inclusion/exclusion from society.  

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Youth in the Environmental Justice Movement

Youth have been on the forefront of demanding policy change. At the COP-26 in Glasgow, Professor Pineros Shields participated in multiple sessions with youth leaders from around the world.

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Community-Based Participatory Research

Participatory research involves deep relationships with people in the field.

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Collective Behavior and Social Movements 

Social change depends upon collective and strategic political action.

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Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation

Effective public policy and management in the public and non-profit sectors depend upon accountable, efficient and effective systems.  

EDUCATION

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

University of Massachusetts at Lowell, 2013-present

  • Associate Teaching Professor Department of Sociology, 2013-present

  • Director, Master of Public Administration, 2016-2021

2003 - 2014

Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Policy

Joint degree at Department of Sociology and Heller School for Social Policy. 

Dissertation Title: DREAMers Rising: Constituting the Undocumented Student Immigrant Movement 

1993 - 1996

Tufts University, Medford, MA

M.A. in Urban and Environmental Policy

Thesis title: The Service of Politics and the Politics of Service: The Policy Paradox of National Service

1987 - 1991

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies

Tufts University, 2012

  • Lecturer, Sociology 135: Social Movements

Brandeis University, 2001-2013

  • Heller School for Social Policy and Management

    • Research Associate, Center for Youth and Communities, 2001-2013

    • Research Associate, Institute for Behavioral Health, 2012-2013

  • Department of Sociology

    • Lecturer, Sociology 89a: Internships for Community Action and Social Change, Spring 2005-2009.

  • Peace Conflict and Coexistence Program (PAX)

    • Interim Chair, Fall 2008, Spring 2010.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Director, Office of Volunteer Programs, 1996-1997, 1998-2001

  • Project Coordinator, East St. Louis Action Research Project, 1997-1998

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