Knowledge Exchange in the Colombian Amazon
P.I. Dr. Ricardo Gómez, Information School, University of Washington & Mauricio Beltran, Fundación Colombia Multicolor,
Fulbright-funded project in Vaupés, Colombia, developed in partnership with Wildlife Works, UNAD, and the University of Washington. The project supported community-driven development initiatives in the Colombian Amazon through the use of participatory methods, and included a diploma program focused on leadership, communication, and climate change with Indigenous associations ASATIQ and ASATRIZY.
Maijuna Connectivity
P.I. Dr. Jason Young, TASCHA, Information School & Dr. Michael Gilmore, George Mason University
In collaboration with Indigenous Maijuna communities in the Peruvian Amazon, this project aims to understand the information needs and practices of the Maijuna, as well as exploring next steps in establishing a community network and the information literacy and capacity building training that comes along with that endeavor.
System for Information and Evaluation in Tseltal Communities
P.I. Dr. Ricardo Gomez, Information School
SIET, is an indigenous information systems research project, led by Dr. Ricardo Gomez in collaboration with the One Equal Heart Foundation, that supports of endogenous community development in Tzeltal Maya communities in Chiapas, Mexico. We integrating three information systems, community radio, library, and an evaluation program, that strengthens Tzeltal identity, language, and culture in line with "Lekil Cuxlejalil," a Tzeltal concept of living a "good life."
Additional Research and Consulting Projects
I contributed to the Life Histories and Stories of Resilience project with Casa Latina, documenting narratives of labor, migration, and resilience among Latinx day laborers in Seattle, WA. With Seattle Jobs Initiative, I supported the Digital Bridge project, exploring the impact of digital access on employment and workforce development. I consulted on Dear Digital Equity’s project evaluating Goodwill (Olympic & Rainier Region)’s Digital Navigator program and laptop distribution through qualitative research and field-based insight.