No one is an island. I am grateful to have collaborated with so many amazing groups and people.
Society for Study of Social Problems (SSSP), Chair of Division for Community Research and Development (CRD)
The Community Research and Development Division is for scholars, activists, researchers, practitioners, students, and other individuals who are interested in supporting social justice efforts in communities. Our focus on social justice at the group level leads us to ask questions about the determinants and consequences of inequality in communities. We also address the collective identities and lived realities of communities, and how those identifications and experiences affect everyone’s well-being and quality of life. We focus on urban, rural, suburban, and other place-based communities as well as identity, cultural, and interest-based communities.
Student Immigrant Movement (SIM)
The Student Immigrant Movement is the only undocumented youth-led organization in Massachusetts. Throughout SIM’s existence, we have identified, recruited and developed immigrant leaders of varying statuses in local cities to improve their communities using strategic and motivational campaigns. SIM has stopped deportations, stopped anti-immigrant amendments from passing, pushed the implementation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), DREAM Schools, and more.
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Jenny Alexander, Documentary Film-maker
Jenny Alexander is a producer at Northern Light Productions and independent filmmaker. Her independent projects focus on the impact of immigration policy on families. Jenny's first film, "Detained" follows families in the aftermath of the largest workplace immigration raid in Massachusetts, and has screened in festivals in Tel Aviv, Poland, Germany and China as well as within the US. Her current film, "The Vigil" follows undocumented mothers in Arizona who lead a vigil to stop Arizona's "Papers Please" law from going into effect. Dr. Pineros Shields recently published a book chapter about The Vigil. In addition, Jenny Alexandra' collected film footage of SIM during his dissertation research. Prior to filmmaking, Jenny was a union organizer in Puerto Rico and with the United Farm Workers. http://activevistafilms.com/
COSECHA
Movimiento Cosecha is a non-violent movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity, and respect for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. COSECHA believes that through direct action and economic non-cooperation, they can change what is politically possible. Dr. Pineros Shields has conducted a study of March 2017 airport shut-downs in cooperation with COSECHA leaders to explain their micro-mobilization and strategic decision making. http://www.lahuelga.com/
Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM)
The Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM) unites students, families, alumni, professors, staff, and community members from our state universities, community colleges and the UMass system to advocate for high-quality, debt-free public college. phenomonline.org
Urban Research Based Action Network (URBAN) - Sociology Node
The URBAN Sociology node seeks to build upon the wide array of collaborative research and action initiatives already underway by sociologists. These include campaigns to improve the conditions of day laborers, efforts for equitable community development, strategies for effective community organizing and public education reform, building social movements in the World Social Forum, combating environmental racism, among many others. Those in the Sociology Node seek to create a permanent, ongoing network within sociology and across disciplines that is focused on collaborative research with communities to create new knowledge relevant to addressing pressing social justice issues. http://urbanresearchnetwork.org/nodes/discipline-node/sociology/