About Us
Shaping practice and policy solutions to global challenges
Our research examines intersections of extreme adversity (e.g., poverty, war, and climate change) and wellbeing through the lens of place theory, with a specific focus on the family and home.
This research builds upon our previous work with war-affected families by using participatory mixed methods, sharing research results with academic communities, practitioners/policymakers, and lay audiences, and training a new cohort of student-researchers.
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What makes us different?
Our work addresses global adversity across multiple levels of analysis, from the micro- to the macro, emphasizing the value of integrating both individual and collective perspectives.
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At the micro-level, we document the day-to-day realities of adversity and perseverance within individuals, families, and communities. At the macro-level, we investigate how broader systems can mitigate harm and contribute to positive change.
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To deepen understanding of how diverse groups of people experience extreme adversity
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To explore key research findings across academic, government, and international sectors
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To promote innovative, participatory, and community-based research methodologies.
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To foster dialogue on improving practices and policies that support protection and support for marginalized groups.
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To explore how systems can be strengthened to better support marginalized communities
Our Goals
Core Research Areas
Parenting in the context of war
Parents are considered one of the most important factors contributing to family wellbeing and protection from extreme hardships such as war. In contexts of war, as families face violence and are forced to leave their homes in search of safety, parenting roles may be severely challenged. Using a theoretical focus on people and place, our research examines parenting from a geographical lens and further explores family wellbeing.