Communications and Media: Research Translation and Dissemination for Youth Equity Projects from the Innovations for Youth (i4Y) Research Center - YEDI Affiliated
Marieka Schotland, Executive Director
Public Health
Applications for Fall 2025 are closed for this project.
Innovations for Youth (i4Y) is a cross-disciplinary research-action center that catalyzes on innovative interventions, practices and policies to improve equity and well-being for youth locally and worldwide. Our current portfolio includes work on marginalized youth, youth voice, youth participatory action research, and student mental health and wellbeing (www.i4Y.berkeley.edu).
As a research action center, we seek to raise our visibility and translate/disseminate our findings to reach a wide range of audiences. Participants in this project will join the i4Y team to learn how to translate research and to implement successful dissemination tactics such as through social media postings, website development, visibility campaigns, newsletters, donor outreach and branding. Participants should plan to attend weekly meetings either remote or in person.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a standard research data collection project and instead focuses on how a research center translates information generated by affiliated faculty projects and how to increase the impact of that research. You will gain exposure to a wide breadth of youth equity research and learn the skills need to elevate and disseminate the work.
PLEASE NOTE: This position REQUIRES being available on Tuesdays, from 2:00-3:30pm in the Fall Semester. Meeting times for Spring are TBD (but likely to remain at that same time).
If you are selected for this research project, you will be given the opportunity to join the Youth Equity Discovery Initiative (YEDI) program. YEDI is a research apprenticeship and mentorship program that supplements your URAP research work with weekly workshops in both Fall and Spring semesters. YEDI creates a cohort of undergraduate scholars (usually around 20-30, many from underrepresented backgrounds) that are working on youth equity research projects, such as this one. The year-long program utilizes cascading mentorship, skill-building workshops, and professional development to provide supportive pathways into research careers, service, and leadership addressing adolescent inequities and well-being. Scholars greatly benefit from (and enjoy!) the extra training and support, as well as the professional development opportunities (including faculty guest speakers, graduate student and practitioner panels). The program culminates in a research symposium presentation at the end of the program. The 2025-2026 YEDI cohort will meet on Tuesdays from 2pm - 3:30pm beginning September 30th. In order to take part in the YEDI program, you MUST be able to attend the workshops at this time. As a YEDI scholar, you will sign up for a PH198 class and receive 1 unit in addition to the units you will receive for this URAP project. For any questions about YEDI, please contact Marieka Schotland at mschotland@berkeley.edu or visit our website (https://i4y.berkeley.edu/youth-equity-discovery-initiative-yedi-program).
Role: Tasks:
Generate media and communication plans for a wide range of projects and groups focused on youth equity
Disseminate faculty affiliated research projects’ findings
Update website and social media to reflect current faculty work
Create dissemination products such as a webpage, social media campaign, brief or visual presentation
Learning outcomes:
Learn about research translation and impact
Gain experience in creating dissemination products
Learn about youth equity-focused research projects
Qualifications: *This position is for BOTH Fall and Spring semesters.
Preferred (please detail in your application):
Interest in youth equity issues;
Interest in research impact, translation of information and dissemination;
Experience with data visualization such as with social media, websites or graphic design;
Undergraduates that have worked in research (not required but preferred);
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively;
Ability to time manage and complete assignments on time.
i4Y values equity and inclusion, and highly encourages students from different backgrounds, identities and experiences to apply.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Marieka Schotland, PhD, Staff Researcher
Hours: 3-5 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: School of Public Health, 2121 Berkeley Way 5th Floor, Berkeley Way West Building
Related website: https://i4y.berkeley.edu/youth-equity-scholars-yes
Related website: http://i4y.berkeley.edu