Livingstone Undergraduate Research Award in General Education
Livingstone Undergraduate Research Award in General Education
Justin P. Roig
Students For Justice in Palestine
View Justin's project online
My project sought to utilize youth subculturalist theories to help analyze the contemporary Palestinian Liberation Movement and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). My project utilizes these theories to analyze the characteristics of the movement. I utilized books and interviews about the history of SJP and pro-Palestinian organizing, as well as my own interview with a Palestinian American organizer who is a dear friend.
What is your major and expected year of graduation?
I am a Geography and Urban Studies major, and my expected year of graduation is 2026.
What inspired you to pursue your project?
I was inspired after seeing that there was a lack of historiography being conducted on the contemporary Palestinian Liberation Movement, of which I had been an active participant. I was particularly interested in analyzing the movement utilizing schools of thought around researching youth subcultures that I had been researching in my Youth Cultures class, the connection here being many of the participants of the movement are students and other young people. Ultimately, I was inspired by the organizing done by so many in solidarity with Gaza and Gazans and wanted to help contribute to the historiography of that movement.
How did the Libraries support your research?
This was a difficult and niche subject to research, The Library was very helpful regarding the online databases it gave me access to.
Students in Youth Cultures are tasked with a semester-long, social science research project of their choice, using qualitative research techniques. Justin came to me asking if it would be appropriate to study a group with which he had become familiar, the Free Palestine movement on another campus. When it came to the data analysis, Justin brought a critical eye to examine participation for students of color. In his final paper, Justin supported his claims with his findings and from academic literature. After submitting a final draft, I offered suggestions to create flow between each section and pointed to places where his arguments require bolstering. He eagerly took up suggestions and went beyond my expectations, reflecting his sharp thinking and skill at academic writing. I foresee Justin using those qualities towards his focus on community organizing.
— Carol B. Brandt, Associate Professor, Science Education, College of Education and Human Development
This category honors exemplary work completed in a General Education Course at Temple University
This award is generously sponsored by Gale, a Cengage company.
