Affecting Change Through Research, Training, and Community Engagement
The Family Wellbeing & Justice Lab uses research to build evidence that informs the development, implementation, and improvement of practices, programs, and policies for families impacted by incarceration and justice system involvement.
We prioritize community-engaged partnerships, working with people with lived expertise, community organizations, and public agencies, to identify priorities and research questions, conduct research and evaluations, and use the findings in meaningful ways.
Grounded in a commitment to equity and justice and a belief in the dignity and worth of all people, we aim to reduce the adverse consequences of the criminal legal system for families and communities while promoting resilience, opportunity, and wellbeing.
Pajarita Charles, PhD (she/her)
Principal Investigator
Pajarita Charles, PhD, MSW, MPA, is an Associate Professor at the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work, where she directs the Family Wellbeing & Justice Lab. She is an affiliate of the Center for Law, Society, and Justice, the Institute for Research on Poverty, and the Center for Healthy Minds. Her research focuses on practices, programs, and policies that shape the wellbeing of children and families, with particular attention to those affected by the criminal legal system. Dr. Charles partners with people with lived expertise, public agencies, and community organizations to conduct research and evaluations aimed at improving outcomes for justice-impacted families. She also frequently engages students in hands-on research experiences that help them cultivate their interests, develop knowledge, and build skills.