I am a graduate student in the Sociology department at UC Irvine studying identity and family in foster homes. I am also involved in a project examining the use of storytelling in advocacy efforts, from viral YouTube videos to Congressional hearings. My research interests are broadly: family and gender, social movements, culture, and qualitative methods.

I completed my BA in Linguistics and Gender and Sexuality Studies at Tulane University in 2014 and my MA in Sociology at Columbia University in 2016. Between these academic endeavors, I worked with community organizations in New Orleans. It is my goal to continue to foster my academic and social justice commitments in relation to one another as I pursue a career as a sociologist.

For more information, Jessica can be contacted at j s callah @ uci . edu