Research
interests: My research interests concern theorizing about participatory processes for collective action and the socio-political phenomena around community-based organizations, particularly in lower income immigrant neighborhoods and communities of color. My main area of applied research is divided in two areas: 1) community-based programs and participatory models of research for social change; and 2) community health promotion programs, specifically how they may be best planned, tracked, and evaluated.
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Brief
biography: I earned my Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning (concentration in Community Health Planning) in 2006 and Masters in Social Ecology in 2002 from the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine. I completed my undergraduate work at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles with a double major in Psychology and Chicano Studies, and a minor in Alcohol and Drug Studies.
I have two recent publications:
Journal Article
González, R. Erualdo, Lejano, P. Raul, Vidales, Lupe, Conner, F. Ross, Kidokoro, Yuki, Fazeli, Bahram Fazeli, and Cabrales, Robert. (2007). “Participatory Action Research for Environmental Health: Encountering Freire in the Urban Barrio.” Journal of Urban Affairs, 12 (1).
Book Review
Frameworks for Policy Analysis: Merging Text and Context, by Lejano, P. Raul; New York: Routledge. The review appears in Frontera Norte (July-Dec 2007).
I have three notable community achievements in 2007. I joined the Board of Directors at El Centro Cultural de México, a non-profit organization in Santa Ana dedicated to cultural, social, educational, and artistic activities that strengthen identities, talents, and leadership in the community. I also joined the Orange County United Way Somos Familia Leadership Council, a decision-making group that collaborates with Latino neighborhoods in promoting and facilitating economic empowerment. Finally, I graduated from the Multi-ethnic Leadership Institute, a Orange County United Way program designed to enhance leadership skills for professionals working in diverse communities.
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