Research

My research focuses on how governance structures and policies criminalize homelessness and poverty in the U.S., shaping the lived experience of these communitites. I explore the historical roots of vagrancy laws and the regulation of public space, which have long been used to exclude, surveil, and control marginalized populations. Central to my work is the study of mutual aid and community-based survival practices, highlighting grassroots efforts that support individuals outside formal systems. I aim to bridge these grassroots advocacy efforts with housing policy and broader systemic change, connecting community knowledge with shifts in policy, public attitudes, and social structures.

Current Research Activities

Can Law Enforcement Training Address Racial and Ethnic Disproportionality?

PI: Leah Jacobs, PhD
Role: Graduate Student Assistant
This experimental study evaluates whether targeted training can improve youth-police interactions and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in law enforcement encounters.

Improving the Care and Treatment of Homeless Individuals in the Emergency Department

PI: Max Hurwitz, DO
Role: Qualitative Research Assistant
This project examines barriers and facilitators to emergency healthcare access and quality for people experiencing homelessness, with the goal of informing patient-centered care improvements.

In-Progress Papers

Interventions to Reduce Coercion in Mental Health: A Scoping Review of U.S. Studies

Conducting a comprehensive scoping review of U.S.-based studies on interventions aimed at reducing coercion in mental health care.

Exploring Informal Networks and Mutual Aid Among People Experiencing Homelessness

Investigating how people experiencing homelessness use informal networks and mutual aid to meet basic needs and foster resilience outside formal systems.