Academic Research

Academic & Research Specializations: Critical Theory in Practice for Social Transformation

Academic research isn’t neutral—it either reinforces existing power structures or contributes to liberation and social transformation. My research practice bridges critical theory and community-centered action, using sociological analysis to understand and interrupt systems of oppression.

Drawing from critical social theory, gender studies, and sociology of religion, I conduct research that serves movement-building and organizational transformation rather than academic careerism.

Ready to use research for social justice?
Contact me to discuss critical research approaches for your organization or community.

Research as Liberation Practice

Following the tradition of scholar-activists like W.E.B. Du Bois, Patricia Hill Collins, and Sylvia Wynter, my research practice challenges the false neutrality of academic scholarship and instead centers questions that serve marginalized communities.

My approach emphasizes:

Community-based participatory research that involves affected communities as co-researchers
Critical methodology that examines power, privilege, and systemic oppression
Action-oriented analysis that supports organizing and transformation efforts
Accessible communication that reaches beyond academic audiences
Ethical practice that doesn’t extract from communities without giving back

Core Areas of Expertise

Critical Social Theory Application

Using Frankfurt School critical theory, feminist theory, and critical race theory to analyze organizational and social problems with focus on power, domination, and liberation possibilities.

Sociology of Religion and Spiritual Communities

Conducting critical analysis of religious institutions and spiritual communities, including how they reproduce or challenge broader social inequalities and power structures.

Connect with: Religious Trauma Recovery and Faith-Based Consulting

Gender Studies & Performativity Analysis

Applying Judith Butler’s performativity theory and broader gender studies frameworks to understand how gender and sexuality operate in organizational and social contexts.

Related expertise: LGBTQ+ Issues & Inclusion and Conversion Therapy Recovery

Research Ethics & Conduct Through Justice Lens

Developing ethical research practices that prioritize community benefit over academic advancement and address power imbalances inherent in traditional research relationships.

Additional support: Workplace Misconduct & Ethics for research contexts

My Approach: Praxis-Oriented Scholarship

Following Paulo Freire’s concept of praxis, my research integrates critical analysis with transformative action, refusing the false separation between theory and practice.

Community-Centered Research Design

Participatory methodology involving affected communities in all phases of research
Community-defined questions addressing issues identified as priorities by those most affected
Accessible methods that don’t require advanced academic training to participate
Shared ownership of research findings and their use

Critical Analysis Framework

Power structure examination understanding how domination operates in specific contexts
Intersectional analysis recognizing how multiple oppressions interact and compound
Historical contextualization situating current conditions within broader patterns of oppression and resistance
Structural focus examining systems rather than just individual experiences

Action-Oriented Dissemination

Community presentations sharing findings with those who participated and will be affected
Policy recommendations that address structural rather than superficial changes
Organizing support providing research to support community and worker organizing
Accessible writing that reaches beyond academic journals to broader audiences

Specialized Research Areas

Conversion Therapy and SOGICE Research

Conducting survivor-centered research on sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (SOGICE), including organizational analysis of institutions that promote these harmful practices.

Religious Trauma and Institutional Analysis

Researching how religious institutions create and perpetuate trauma while also studying communities that have developed healing and liberatory spiritual practices.

Connect with: Religious Trauma Recovery and Trauma-Informed Practices

Organizational Culture and Power Analysis

Studying how power operates within organizations and documenting successful examples of organizational transformation toward more democratic and equitable structures.

Media Ecology & Digital Culture Criticism

Analyzing how digital media and technology shape social relations, with particular attention to how they reproduce or challenge existing power structures.

Additional focus: Academic & Research Specializations in media studies

Working with Research Partners

I work with organizations and communities committed to using research for social transformation rather than academic credentialing or institutional reputation management.

Community Organizations and Nonprofits

Grassroots organizations and advocacy groups needing research to support their organizing, policy advocacy, and community education efforts.

Educational Institutions

Schools and universities seeking to conduct research that serves community needs rather than just advancing institutional interests or individual academic careers.

Labor Organizations

Unions and worker organizations needing research to document workplace conditions, support organizing campaigns, and develop policy recommendations.

Religious Communities

Faith organizations wanting to understand and address problematic patterns within their institutions while supporting healing and transformation.

Additional services through: Mediation & Conflict Resolution for research-related conflicts

Research Methodology and Ethics

My research practice is grounded in critical methodology that examines rather than reproduces existing power relations:

Critical Ethnography

Long-term community engagement building relationships rather than extracting data
Power analysis examining researcher positionality and institutional contexts
Reflexive practice acknowledging how researcher background affects analysis
Community accountability ensuring research serves community rather than academic interests

Feminist and Anti-Oppression Methods

Intersectional analysis recognizing how multiple forms of oppression interact
Standpoint epistemology understanding how social location affects knowledge production
Care ethics prioritizing relationships and community well-being over research efficiency
Decolonizing methodology challenging Western academic assumptions about knowledge and research

Research Support Services

Beyond conducting original research, I provide research support for organizations and communities:

Literature Reviews and Environmental Scans

Critical synthesis of existing research on issues affecting your community or organization
Gap analysis identifying areas where more research is needed
Policy landscape analysis understanding current political and institutional contexts
Best practices research on successful organizing and transformation efforts

Research Design and Methodology Consultation

Community-based research design that centers affected communities
Ethical protocol development ensuring research doesn’t harm participants
Method selection choosing approaches appropriate for community needs and capacity
Timeline and resource planning for sustainable research processes

Research services through: Research & Program Support

Academic Writing and Publication

I support community-controlled publication and accessible academic writing:

Community-Focused Scholarship

Community co-authorship ensuring those most affected are credited as knowledge producers
Open access publication making research freely available to communities
Plain language writing that reaches beyond academic audiences
Community dissemination supporting grassroots sharing of research findings

Critical Academic Writing

Decolonizing academic voice challenging academic writing conventions that exclude community voices
Intersectional analysis throughout all written work
Action orientation connecting analysis to organizing and transformation possibilities
Ethical citation practices that credit community knowledge and grassroots intellectuals

Investment in Critical Research

Research for social transformation requires sustained commitment to community relationships and action rather than quick academic publications.

Engagement options include:

Rapid response research for urgent community or organizational needs
Research capacity building training for community members and organizers
Academic writing support for community-controlled scholarship

Individual consultation available: Coaching Services for graduate students and community researchers

Resources for Continued Learning

Start the conversation about critical research for social transformation.

Stay connected with research, analysis, and organizing insights through my Spotlight on Society newsletter:

Next Steps

If your organization or community is ready to use research as a tool for liberation, let’s discuss how we can work together.

Schedule a consultation to explore critical research approaches for your needs.

For immediate research support for organizing or crisis response, contact me directly.

Ready to bridge critical theory and transformative action?
Let’s begin the research →