Laura J. Wernick

See resume on file.

Laura Wernick is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She recently completed her PhD in the Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Political Science at the University of Michigan. Her research explores issues of diversity, power, pedagogy and social justice within and across areas of community organizing, philanthropic institutions, and nonprofit organizations. She is particularly interested in examining how people can work within and across social and economic identities to challenge power, privilege and oppression in support of social and economic justice. Dr. Wernick's dissertation examines a pedagogical and organizing model used to organize young wealthy progressives, develop their critical consciousness and responsibly leverage their access to wealth and philanthropic institutions, including organizing within and democratizing organizational practices, while holding themselves accountable to multiracial cross-class movements. Dr. Wernick is also engaged in research examining the use of performance as an empowerment and organizing tool among LGBTQQ youth. In addition to her research, Dr. Wernick is the adult advisor for Riot Youth, a program for LGBTQQ youth at the Neutral Zone in Ann Arbor.