ERI Community Power Postdoctoral Scholar
Pronouns: he/him
Email: urielser@usc.edu
PhD, Sociology and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, University of California Santa Cruz
M.A., Sociology, University of California, Santa Cruz
M.A., Sociology, California State University, Los Angeles
B.A., Sociology, California State University, Los Angeles
Concentration: Inequality and Diversity. Minor: Chicanx Studies
Dr. Uriel Serrano is a Community Power Postdoctoral Scholar at ERI. In his research, he employs interview, ethnographic, archival, and survey analysis to study the social conditions facing racially minoritized youth in Los Angeles, including how they resist policing and racial inequality.
His research agenda sits at the intersection of sociology, education, critical criminology, ethnic studies, and community-engaged approaches. His current and forthcoming publications extend these substantive interests—as well as his methodological interests in mixed-methods research and community-rooted research—by examining the practices and consequences of policing racially minoritized young people, the role of organizations (like schools, school boards, and community-based educational spaces) in shaping the lives of racially minoritized youth, and how community organizations respond to criminalization and surveillance. In addition, Dr. Serrano has collaborated with youth organizations, youth workers, and Dr. Veronica Terriquez to publish two manuscripts, produce eight research reports and co-author op-eds focused on youth issues and education.
Dr. Serrano’s research and community-engaged projects have been supported by The Ford Foundation, The California Endowment, the University of California President’s Office, the American Sociological Association, the Social Science Research Council, and the California State University Chancellor’s Office. His work is either forthcoming or has been published in journals such as Social Problems, Sociological Perspectives, Race Ethnicity & Education, Educational Researcher, Equity & Excellence in Education, Journal of Family Theory & Review, and Social Sciences. He earned a Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he completed a designated emphasis in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. Uriel received his B.A. and M.A. from Cal State LA and is a Minority Fellow with the American Sociological Association, a Ford Foundation Fellow, and an experienced youth worker.
Dr. Serrano was born and raised in the Baldwin Hills neighborhood, known colloquially as The Jungles. He brings over ten years of experience as a youth worker and educator to his research and teaching. Dr. Serrano is also a proud Cal State alumni, avid wrestling fan, a self-proclaimed quesadilla expert, and Duke’s favorite human.