Research
Overview
The Center's mission is to conduct research that makes a difference in women's lives. While our research agenda is designed to be responsive to the circumstances and needs of women in Massachusetts and New England, many of the policy issues that guide our work have national significance. The Center’s primary areas of expertise focus on the political representation of women and a range of public policy issues that are important to women. Our research directly addresses the intersectionality of gender, race/ethnicity, and social class by examining issues that are relevant to diverse communities of women. Recently completed and current research projects are discussed in more detail on our Research Projects page.
The Center’s research agenda is shaped by input from various constituencies including the Massachusetts Legislature, state agencies, community-based groups, affiliated academic centers and institutes, and not-for-profit organizations. The Center frequently works with stakeholders in defining research goals, methods of data collection, analysis and dissemination.
Opportunities for Collaboration
There are many opportunities for collaboration with the Center, including commissioned and contracted research and evaluation projects, visiting scholar and other affiliated positions, and research internships. Click here for an overview of research services offered by the Center.
Click on the following links to learn more about how to:
- Contract with the Center to complete a research project on a topic of interest of your agency or organization.
- Have the Center produce an evaluation needed by your agency or organization.
- Serve as a Visiting Scholar at the Center.
- Explore the possibility of a Research Internship.
Publications
Our publications range from comprehensive reports to fact sheets and policy briefs; a categorized listing of all of our publications is available here.
Women’s Research Forum
Each spring and fall we host a Women’s Research Forum to highlight the work of female scholars from the University of Massachusetts Boston community. Click here for information on our fall 2007 forum, here for a recap of our spring 2008 forum which is also now on You Tube, and at this link for an overview of our fall 2008 forum. Our most recent forum, MAKING WAVES: Environmental Policy Challenges and the Role of Scientists, is featured here.
CWPPP Research Leadership Initiative for Women of Color
The Center was selected by the National Council for Research on Women for a Ford Foundation-sponsored initiative to advance women of color in academic research centers in the United States. Learn more about this initiative.
To request publications, please contact:
Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy
Phone: 617.287.5541
Fax: 617.287.5566
Email: christa.kelleher@umb.edu
CENTER'S FALL RESEARCH FORUM MAKES WAVES...
On 28 October 2009, the Center hosted its fall Women's Research Forum: MAKING WAVES-Environmental Policy Challenges and the Role of Scientists which featured Professors Solange Brault, Ellen Douglas, Robyn Hannigan and environmental filmmaker Dorie Clark who moderated the lively discussion.
POLITICAL PROGRESS FOR NEW ENGLAND WOMEN?
Building on the success of the Center's 2003 New England Women's Political Summit, the Center has developed webpages that provide statistics, analysis, and commentary on the status of women's political representation across New England.
RESEARCH INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Research Department seeks Research Interns for the current academic year and/or spring 2010 semester. Research Interns make significant contributions to current projects related to women's political leadership and policy issues that matter to women. They also help get new initiatives off the ground. Click here to learn more about this opportunity to develop new skills while making a difference as a Research Intern in the only academic research center at a public university in Massachusetts dedicated to advancing women in politics and policymaking in this state, New England, and the nation.