Faculty Offers Research at SparkTalks
Introduction
Associate Professor Charles Hounmenou, PhD, and Assistant Professor Daysi Diaz-Strong, PhD, presented their research projects at SparkTalks, UIC’s take on faculty lightning talks that provides an opportunity for faculty leaders and others across campus to learn about the exciting activities happening in every corner of UIC. Sponsored by UIC’s chancellor’s office, the event was held Jan. 15.
Charles Hounmenou
During his presentation of “Prevalence of Child Trafficking in Cote d’Ivoire,” Hounmenou discussed three distinctive prevalence studies that were conducted in the African country of Cote d’Ivoire and its largest city, Abidjan, as part of the country’s formative research that supports the Child Protection Compact funded by the United States Department of State.
In his research, Houmenou’s objectives were to estimate the prevalence of child trafficking of child domestic work (CDW), commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), and forced child begging (FCB); to estimate the prevalence of Ivorian child labor violations and U.S.-based child trafficking indicators; and to identify major areas of service needs for victims.
View Houmenou’s presentation here.
Daysi Diaz-Strong
Diaz-Strong presented “The Burden of Resilience: Immigrant Latinas Navigating Legal Exclusion.” Diaz-Strong’s abstract reads: For nearly 40 years, proposals to legalize undocumented immigrants have failed in the U.S. Congress. As a result, undocumented Latina women are moving through the life course under the constraints of exclusionary immigration policies. They form families, raise children, attempt to find financial stability, navigate health issues, and grapple with what happens when they can no longer work. They also build social connections and establish deep roots in the suburban communities where they work and live. Alongside legal exclusion, gender norms and expectations shape their vulnerabilities in family life, work roles, social relationships, and well-being.
The presentation shared a community-based participatory research project that examined how undocumented Latinas experience legal exclusion across the life course and the resilience they display as they strive to reach their dreams and fight for the well-being of themselves and their families.
Watch Diaz-Strong’s presentation here.