Community4Impact Lab
Community, Collective, Connective.
Research with Compassion for the Community
The C4I Lab applies interdisciplinary knowledge to understand how communities come together to drive social and policy change in an increasingly unequal and polarized world, both online and offline. Our research is motivated by the question: How does collective action take place? Specifically, how do communities unite to advance social and policy objectives in an increasingly unequal and polarized world, such as socioeconomic equity, racial justice, and climate action?
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Collective Action to Promote Social Justice
We believe in the power of collective action to better the communities we live in. Our research focuses on philanthropy, the role of nonprofits and philanthropic foundations, the impact of social media on advocacy, and strategies to reduce place-based inequality and polarized attitudes. By collaborating with community stakeholders, nonprofits, and advocacy groups, we aim to create meaningful change.
Leviticus 25:10: "And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan."
The Team
Who We Are
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Conor Johnston
Research Assistant
Conor is a senior honors dual degree student pursuing a bachelors in Political Science and Psychology. Currently, he is a part of Dr. Wu's lab researching social justice philanthropy, as well as the Rudd Adoption Research Program where he is leading research on adoption subsidies and adoptive outcomes. Conor hopes to attend law school next year, and in the he enjoys spending time with friends, reading mystery novels, and playing chess!
Saniya Jain
Research Assistant
Saniya is a junior pursuing a bachelor's degree in Economics and Informatics at Umass. She was selected for the CJLS Summer Rise Research Program to work with Dr Wu as a research assistant. Saniya also works as a research assistant at the SUP lab under Professor Marta Vicarelli working on sustainable economic policy. In her free time, Saniya engages in crafty hobbies like crochet and pottery.
Maitri Chandrashekar
Research Assistant
Maitri is a junior pursuing a bachelor's degree in sustainable community development with a minor in public policy. She was selected to work as a research assistant with Dr. Wu for the Community 4 Impact lab. In her free time, Maitri likes to hang out with friends, craft, and workout.
Eimi Oda
Research Assistant
Eimi is a first-year graduate student in Data Analytics and Computational Social Science. She is passionate about exploring how data can drive social change and uncover insights through computational social science. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and visiting different coffee shops.
Anoushka Kunder
Research Assistant
Anoushka is from Edison, New Jersey, and as an out-of-state student, she loves meeting new people on campus and exploring Massachusetts. Last spring, she interned at the Center for Women and Community on campus as an event planner and will continue to work with them this fall semester. While she is still exploring the field of public policy and determining her career path after graduation, she is particularly interested in the legal aspects of public policy and the computational data science side as well. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, spending time with friends, and listening to music.
Shang Yat (Shane) Lam
Research Assistant
Shang is a PhD student studying Public Administration and Policy at the University of Georgia. As an alumnus of UMass Amherst and the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, Shang has been working with Dr. Wu to examine the moral narratives used by climate action and contrarian nonprofits across the Twitterverse in the context of the Green New Deal, drawing on the moral foundations theory. Shang is from Hong Kong.
