Justice and social change work is lifelong and relies on the collective will and activity of multiple stakeholders. As a hub, umbrella, and catalyst for the work, the Integrated Justice and Social Change Collaborative (IJSC Collaborative) connects and bridges individuals, groups, and organizations to dismantle racist and oppressive structures of all kind. The IJSC Collaborative focuses on the following four areas: education, research, activism, and partnerships.
Education
Change requires learning. The IJSC Collaborative stimulates formal and informal learning by drawing upon the combined contributions of Southern’s programs, courses, faculty, and staff and the IJSC Collaborative’s many individual, community, organizational, and institutional partners.
Research
Change requires thinking and doing in new ways. The IJSC Collaborative facilitates interdisciplinary, inter-organizational, and inter-institutional research focused on anti-oppressive innovations that will make the world healthier and more equitable.
Activism
Change requires engaged action. The IJSC Collaborative catalyzes individual and social change in all that it does. Education, research, policy advocacy, healing circles, self-care; non-violent and peace actions, restorative practice, and socially-conscious evaluation are just a few areas where activism is central.
Partnerships
Change requires collaboration. The IJSC Collaborative encourages productive local, national, and international partnerships to advance explicitly anti-racist and anti-oppression education, research, and activism.
Here are some of the ways the IJSC Collaborative strategically undertakes work in these four areas to ensure action and target results.
Hosting professional development, convenings, conferences, performances, installations, and other events
The IJSC Collaborative extends Southern’s capacity as a Social Justice University. It provides a wide range of formal and informal educational opportunities for personal and professional development and institutional growth. The IJSC Collaborative coordinates events, programs, trainings, convenings, and spaces to advance work within the areas of social justice and anti-racist education, pedagogy, and frameworks for social change. These are just some of the ways the IJSC Collaborative provides opportunities to increase the equity-focused knowledge, skills, and competencies of university and community partners.
Documenting and amplifying equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression work
The IJSC Collaborative serves as a resource clearinghouse by coordinating on- and off-campus information, activities, accomplishments, and contributions focused on equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression. Research, curricula, workshops, panels, performances, and podcasts are just some of the materials systematically collected, catalogued, and disseminated for people and organizations locally and worldwide.
Facilitating partnerships and collaborations through networking and bridge-building
The IJSC Collaborative serves as a connector of individuals, organizations, and institutions that both have, and seek, expertise in areas that support equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression.
Identifying and leveraging partnerships for funding and other types of support
The IJSC Collaborative serves as a connection point for individuals, companies, and organizations to invest their time, talent, and treasure for justice and social change. The IJSC Collaborative aspires to create opportunities to serve and give in ways that, for each person, are meaningful and align with their values and desires for action. This includes identifying and seeking funding and non-monetary support as part of on- and off-campus capacity-building and partnership efforts.
Coordinating and undertaking culturally-responsive evaluation and needs assessments
The IJSC Collaborative coordinates and undertakes environmental scans and other types of needs assessments with faculty, staff, administrators, and partner constituents to better understand conditions and requirements for change in our institutional and broader communities. The IJSC Collaborative aspires to offer and further co-construct tangible recommendations specific to anti-racism and anti-oppression that leads to change in our institutions and broader communities.