About Our Work

The Gender Justice Initiative (GJI) is led by Dr. Jessica Shaw of the Community and Applied Developmental Psychology program in the Psychology Department at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).

The GJI aims to use research and evaluation to improve systems that respond to and interface with those affected by gender-based violence. We believe research gains much of its value in its ability to inform policy and practice, and that for it to be used in this way it must be relevant to policymakers and practitioners in the first place. We partner with practitioners, policymakers, and other community members to identify knowledge gaps and understand their informational needs, and then design research and evaluation projects accordingly. Our work is informed by a strong commitment to social justice and action, and we pay particular attention to the ways in which gender-based violence disproportionately impacts some individuals and communities. Through our research, we hope to continue to challenge and combat structural oppression.