Needs of Marginalized Populations

Our research within this first area considers multiple M&V populations, often different across research tasks. This expansive approach is intentional.

First, different M&V populations, while sharing commonalities, have unique needs. The threats and opportunities afforded by technology are different between LGBTQ+ youth, individuals with disabilities, and individuals in the informal labor market. Teenagers are another example of a vulnerable community: they may appear as “quasi-adults” in their connections with peers, but are not legally adults, and are restricted in their autonomy. Focusing on multiple groups will allow us a broad view of communities to facilitate development of design principles for M&V populations in Area 3.

Second, studying populations intersecting frames of marginalization can highlight issues that occur within marginalized identities (e.g., foreign-born status) and across identities (e.g., foreign-born women). As such, we focus on the intersection between marginalized labor and marginalized sociodemographic identities.

Third, our research team has diverse expertise.

By focusing on M&V communities that intersect with our expertise and connections, we will maximize the likelihood of impactful research findings.