Praxis: Critical Consciousness

My work sits at the intersection of critical consciousness, youth development, and social transformation. As both a researcher and practitioner, I approach critical consciousness through two complementary lenses: as a theoretical framework that guides my research practice, and as a focal point of my empirical investigations.

Drawing on Paulo Freire’s concept of praxis, I reject the notion of a neutral, impartial researcher. Instead, I actively align my institutional practices within higher education with my theoretical commitments to equity and social justice. This means ensuring that my actions within academic spaces directly reflect and inform my research on systemic inequities, creating a dynamic relationship between theory and practice.

Research Focus

My research examines how young people analyze, resist, and work to transform oppressive systems while strengthening their communities. A key aspect of this work involves challenging traditional dichotomies between actions considered to be “within” versus “against” existing systems. Drawing on both civic engagement and critical action frameworks, I explore how these boundaries are often more fluid and complex than commonly assumed.

Key Research Areas

Youth Critical Consciousness & Social Transformation

• Investigating how young people understand and respond to systemic oppression
• Examining the strategies youth employ to strengthen and transform their communities
• Analyzing the relationship between individual and collective action

Critical Consciousness & Youth Wellbeing

• Exploring the connections between social action and personal liberation
• Studying how engagement in critical consciousness relates to youth health outcomes
• Investigating the role of critical consciousness in positive youth development

Methodological Innovation

• Developing research approaches that honor youth agency and expertise
• Creating frameworks that capture the complexity of system-oriented action
• Integrating critical consciousness into research methodology

Impact & Applications

This work contributes to our understanding of how young people can simultaneously work toward their own liberation while engaging in broader social transformation. By examining the interconnections between personal development and social change, my research helps illuminate pathways for supporting youth as agents of transformation in their communities.

Relevant publications: