Episode Notes

In Episode 1 of Writing with Purpose, Erin explores Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) and how educators leverage critical pedagogy to help students write for social justice. Erin sits down with local educator Lindsay Aikman to talk about how she enacts YPAR at Centennial High School.





Guest Lindsay Aikman is a Professional Educator at Centennial High School in Champaign, IL who teaches English, Social Justice, and the AVID program (Advancement Via Individual Determination) which seeks close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. Previously, Aikman served as English Department Chair at Landmark High School in Manhattan, New York after earning her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

Akom, A., Shah, A., Nakai, A., Cruz, T. (2016). Youth participatory action research (YPAR) 2.0: How technological innovation and digital organizing sparked a food revolution in east oakland. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 29(10), 1287-1307

Cammorota, J., Fine, M. (2008). Revolutionizing education: Youth participatory action research in motion. New York: Routledge

Freire, Paulo. (1993). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York: Continuum.

Mirra, N. , Filipiak, D., Garcia, A. (2015). Revolutionizing inquiry in urban English classrooms: Pursuing voice and justice through youth participatory action research. English Journal. 105(2), 49-57.

Mirra, N., Garcia, A., Morrell, E. (2016). Doing youth participatory action research: A methodological handbook for researchers, educators, and students. New York: Routledge

UC Berkeley's Young People Empowered to Change the World Hub

Video example of YPAR in action at John OConnell High School in the Mission District of San Francisco

Archive of YPAR lesson plans from Boston Arts Academy

National Writing Project Webinar: Youth Led Inquiry, Connection and Action: Redesigning Civic Education for Participatory Politics which “focuses on successes and lessons learned from two long-running civic education initiatives that redesign civic learning opportunities to take advantage of digital opportunities for connection and social action, the Educating for Participatory Politics project, and the Council of Youth Research.”

Article on Lindsay Aikman's Social Justice students' AAA presentations

Racist Uncle Joe Workshop

Meeting Notes Chrome Extension

Program from Ethnography of the University Initiative Fall 2017 Student Conference


Examples of YPAR presentations

Envisioning a Transition Process for K-12 Transgender Students at Unit 4


Better Accessibility to Mental Health Services Builds Stronger African American Students


Rethinking Privacy and Mental Health Spaces at Centennial High School


Art Therapy as it Intersects with Trauma Informed School Practices



Reflecting our Culture Back to Us: Large Scale Art Builds Community



Liquor Stores, Convenience Stores, and Gambling Locations Congregate in Champaign's Lower Income Neighborhoods: Why?
Seeking Clarity and Empowerment in Sexual Harrassment Protocols for High School Students



Consent Should be Taught in School



When a Dress Code Negatively Impacts the Culture and Climate of a School