Join us in this insightful episode of the Inquiry Oasis as we journey through the transformative research of Dr. Ashley D. Domínguez, a faculty member at the University of Arizona, College of Education. Dr. Domínguez unravels her summer research work in Puerto Rico, merging education with youth activism, and the potent influences of art, theater, and culture on community building and learning. Her work, from training students in research methods to fostering community rejuvenation, sheds light on the empowering potential of education. Dr. Domínguez  also brings to light the intricate dynamics of protagonists and antagonists in storytelling and the unique role of arts-based research tools in her work through the experiences she gained at the Pedagogy and the Theater of the Oppressed workshop she attended this summer. We also explore the University of Arizona designation as a Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) and the transformative opportunities this provides for researchers at UArizona. An essential listen for those interested in the intersection of education, art, culture, and social activism.

Topics Discussed:

• Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR)
• The role of theater, art, and culture in enhancing learning experiences
• Dr. Dominguez’s trajectory in youth activism and education research
• Teaching research methods to University of Puerto Rico, Cayey undergraduates
• The transformative role of arts-based research tools
• Research Impacts of Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI)
• The concept of transformational resistance in youth activism
• The power of education as a tool for societal change and empowerment

Paper Recommendation:

Examining Transformational Resistance Through a Critical Race and Latcrit Theory Framework by Daniel Solorzano and Delgado Bernal, 2001

Books Discussed:

• Theater of the Oppressed
• Pedagogy of the Oppressed