Civil Society & Community Research
Welcome to the page for the Human Ecology PhD – Civil Society and Community Research! The Human Ecology PhD is housed within the School of Human Ecology and broadly aims to understand how humans interact with their lived environment. In the Civil Society & Community Research named option, this means studying how humans operate as part of and effect change within social groups.
This interdisciplinary program provides students with the opportunity to conduct participatory and community-based research in collaboration with community organizations and coalitions. CSCR graduates are well-prepared for positions in research and teaching at universities, cooperative extension, community organizations, foundations, and other nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations.
Get to Know the Department
Departmental Values
- Strives for social justice, common good, and sustainability for current and future generations;
- Elevates the power of those who are marginalized by various forms of oppression and dominant cultural norms;
- Embraces the multitude of ways of knowing and being in the world;
- Engages with the wider community in our work as researchers, teachers, and members of civil society;
- Uses systems thinking, mixed methods, and community-engaged research approaches to gain a holistic and comprehensive understanding of community issues and how to address them;
- Emphasizes positive youth development, asset-based evaluation and programming, and appreciative inquiry; and
- Seeks to understand and honor the various ways people come together to effect policy and programmatic change in their communities.
Faculty Areas of Interest
- The Third Sector, or the realm of society encompassing nongovernmental nonprofit organizations, operates at all levels of society, from local to international and contributes to the health and well-being of society. Faculty study this area with a lens towards civil society, social innovation, public/social policy, evaluation, nonprofit leadership and structures. (Carolee Dodge Francis, Jen Gaddis, Carolina Sarmiento, and Cynthia Jasper)
- Indigenous EcoWell and Transnational Indigenous; We focus on community-based planning, gender-based inequality, injustice, and international migration. Research pays particularly strong attention to strengthening relationships with Wisconsin First Nations, First Nations across the United States, and global Indigenous communities through collaborations that concentrate on the well-being of children, youth, families, and communities (Kasey Keeler, Carolee Dodge Francis, Carolina Sarmiento, and Zoua Vang)
- Youth Engagement and Well Being; Researchers focus on working collaboratively with and among youth systems to create partnerships and decision-makers towards positive social change. Areas of focus relate to food justice in K-12, food systems change, criminal legal systems in school, and equitable places for students (Jen Gaddis)
Department Affiliations
The Department of Civil Society and Community Studies collaborates with communities, civil society organizations, and social movements to co-create a just and sustainable future for all. Click the button below to explore partner, centers, and lab affiliations
CSCR Faculty
Interested in learning more about the faculty in the CSCR program? Click the button below to explore CSCR faculty!
Career Preparation
Professional Skills
Our CSCR program is designed to train educators/scholars to be highly qualified for positions in research and teaching within universities, cooperative extension, community-based groups, foundations, and other nonprofit and non-governmental organizations. Specifically, CSCR students build a range of sought-after skills and abilities in:
- Scholarship and research
- Publishing
- Teaching
- Outreach and application
- Professional development
Topics of Study
- Community leadership
- Community organizing
- Program evaluation
- Voluntary associations
- Youth civic development
- Adult learning
- Community development
- Social change
Interested in Applying?
Impressed with what you have seen? Feeling like this program is the one for you? Then check out our admissions page to get more information on the admissions process and start an application!
Students & Alumni
Student Stories
Alex Punguil Bravo Published in American Journal of Qualitative Research
Alex Punguil Bravo, a PhD student in the Civil Society and Community Research (CSCR) graduate program, has recently had his paper, “Resilience Through Language, Culture, and Community: A Qualitative Study of Multilingual and Multicultural Families,” accepted for publication in the American Journal of Qualitative Research.
Emily Schkeryantz Wins Cooperatives Scholarship
Recently, CSCR PhD student, Emily Schkeryantz, won the Graduate Student Scholarships for Research, Outreach, and training on Cooperatives scholarship!
Josie Lee Publishes 2 Essays in In the Company of Our Relatives: The Richard Pohrt, Jr. Collection
CSCR PhD student, Josie Lee, recently had two essays published in the recent book publication, In the Company of Our Relatives: The Richard Pohrt, Jr. Collection by the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art.
CSCR Graduate Students
Inspired to learn more about the amazing students in the CSCR program after reading some student stories? Click the button below to explore CSCR graduate students!
Recent Alumni
Program Contacts
Graduate Program Committee Chair
Zoua M. Vang, PhD
Meta Schroeder Beckner Outreach Professor | Professor of Civil Society & Community Studies
4145 Nancy Nicholas Hall
608-890-0221