Innovating the study of REP

The Race and Ethnic Politics Lab at UC San Diego (@REP_UCSD) is an inclusive site for collaboration that prioritizes theoretically innovative, community-centered work. Founded by Dr. Marisa Abrajano and Dr. LaGina Gause, the lab convenes faculty and graduate students dedicated to empirical research that embraces and advances today’s pressing questions. The projects generated reflect the local-to-global implications of race, ethnicity, and related aspects of power and identity.

@REP_UCSD, we seek to:

#1

Foster collaboration between faculty and students

#2

Build and amplify research support and networks

#3

Co-create and enhance knowledge with the community

#4

Bridge dialogue on relevant issues through workshops and speakers series

Meet the Lab

@REP_UCSD is an inclusive space that extends across research interests and subfields within political science at UC San Diego.

We welcome new membership and encourage ways to get involved under “Projects & News”, “Workshops”, and “Events.”

Marisa A. Abrajano

Professor of Political Science

Provost of Earl Warren College

Field: American Politics

she/her

LaGina Gause

Assistant Professor of Political Science

Field: American Politics

she/her

Jakana Thomas

Associate Professor in the School of Global Policy and Strategy

Field: International Relations, Gender Politics

she/her

Tom K. Wong

Associate Professor of Political Science

Field: American Politics, Comparative Politics,

International Relations

he/him

Laura Uribe

Graduate Student

Field: American Politics

she/her

Gabriel De Roche

Graduate Student

Field: Comparative Politics

he/him

Alex Zhao

Graduate Student

Field: American Politics

he/him

Alison Boehmer

Graduate Student

Field: American Politics

she/her

Marianna Garcia

Graduate Student

Field: American Politics

she/her/ella

Jesus Rojas Venzor

Graduate Student

Field: International Relations

he/him

Debora Villalvazo

Graduate Student

Field: Methodology

she/her/ella

Nhat-Dang Do

Graduate Student – Alumni

Field: American Politics

he/him

D.G. Kim

Graduate Student – Alumni

Field: International Relations

he/him

G. Agustin Markarian

Graduate Student – Alumni

Field: American Politics

he/him

Bianca Freeman

Graduate Student

Field: International Relations

she/her

Projects + News

#1

Best Practices for Advancing Racial Justice via Social Media: A Partnership between UC San Diego Political Scientists and San Diego Grassroots Organizations.

In the wake of police violence against Black Americans and mounting pressure from a global pandemic, grassroots organizations have heavily relied on social media to mobilize and inform members and allies in the fight against anti-Black racism. Using CrowdTangle, a novel and exclusive source of Facebook data, our research team of political science faculty and graduate students partner with local organizations to provide data-driven research on their social media messaging techniques. The primary goal of this project is to cultivate community-centered partnerships with local grassroots organizations in the advancement of racial justice through effective social media strategy.

Working Papers:

  1. Social Media Insights
  2. Best Practices for Community Engaged Research

#2

@REP_UCSD Inaugural Awardee of UC San Diego Division of Social Sciences Research Grant Competition

In December 2020, members of @REP_UCSD were awarded seed funding for the project, “Best Practices for Advancing Racial Justice via Social Media” from the UC San Diego Division of Social Sciences and the UC San Diego Department of Political Science. This inaugural award was given to five projects at UCSD that advance racial justice in innovative ways. 

The Division of Social Sciences has committed a total of $300,000 to support work that advances racial justice in the next three years. As part of this commitment, it has currently made available $100,000 for research projects carried out by divisional senate faculty in partnership with local, state, or national community organizations to confront racism in society and its institutions. This program aims to focus on the perspectives and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities.

Read the press release here

Workshops + Events

Members of @REP_UCSD participate in various department-supported workshops that advance conversations on race and ethnic politics. These events aim to provide an inclusive community for all scholars and feature the Race and Ethnic Politics Speaker Series, lab research meetings, and “paper bag” lunches for graduate students and faculty to discuss and receive feedback on ongoing projects.

Guest Jamila Michener for the REP Speaker Series, 2020.
Photo of “Black Lives Matter” on UC San Diego walkway by Erik Jepsen, UC San Diego Com. Seen in grant award press release featuring @REP_UCSD.
@REP_UCSD Winter Writing Retreat, 2022.

#1

Race and Ethnic Politics Speaker Series

2022

  • January 28, 2022: Hakeem Jefferson
  • February 11, 2022: Lamis E Abdelaaty
  • April 15, 2022: Vincent Hutchings
  • April 29, 2022: Chaya Crowder
  • May 13, 2022: Sophia Jordán Wallace
  • May 27, 2022: Danvy Le
  • June 10, 2022: Dara Strolovitch

2020 – 2021

  • October 9, 2020: Jamila Michener
  • December 3, 2020: Inés Valdez
  • January 29, 2021: Robin Phinney
  • March 12, 2021: Niambi Carter
  • April 9, 2021: Rodney Hero
  • April 23, 2021: Nadia Brown
  • May 7, 2021: Spencer Piston
  • May 21, 2021: Dara Strolovitch
  • June 4, 2021: Alvin Tillery

#2

@REP_UCSD Lab Meetings

@REP_UCSD Meetings convene to discuss ongoing collective research projects.

#3

Paper Bag” Lunches

“Paper bag” workshops invite all department students and faculty to present and receive feedback on their works in progress.

Social Media

Please send emails to: ucsdreplab@gmail.com

9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093