Youth CAN!

The UConn Youth Research Collaborative for Health works in partnership with youth and communities to design culturally congruent, health promoting efforts that improve inequity and wellbeing, as well as build the capacity of young people to engage in social action. We seek to bridge participatory action approaches to research with prevention science. Our work is guided by critical race and critical feminist theories, including French (et. al 2020)’s framework of radical healing, drawing on a collective approach, critical consciousness, strength and resistance, and clear self-knowledge and authenticity of identities. With an understanding that those with lived experience hold key expertise in health, our work is conducted in partnership with young people and community-based agencies, with the ultimate goal to build authentic knowledge, encourage collective action, and promote systemic social change (Ginwright and James, 2002).