Research Projects

Overview

Our research examines how cultural, relational, and institutional contexts shape social-emotional development, belonging, and educational opportunity. Across K–12 schools and higher education, we ask how educational communities can recognize culturally grounded strengths and address barriers to participation and well-being.

Three connected areas organize our work:

Culture and Social-Emotional Development. We study social-emotional strengths, belonging, and the alignment of expectations across families and schools. Current and emerging projects address Korean newcomer adolescents, school readiness, SEL in STEM instruction, and AI-supported social-emotional reasoning.

School Climate and Racial Experiences. We examine how racial identity, students’ positioning within schools, and relationships within and across groups shape educational experiences. This work includes studies of Asian American teachers, statewide school climate data, and proposed research on peer discrimination.

Equity in Graduate Training. We investigate recruitment, retention, multicultural training, and supervision, with particular attention to international students of color and Asian and Asian American trainees. Related work addresses inclusive scholarship and research mentoring.

We use quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches, with a growing emphasis on community-engaged inquiry. Use the Research Projects menu to explore each area and student-led projects.