Dr. Marilee Coles-Ritchie is an accomplished qualitative researcher, particularly in the field of language and education. She has extensive experience in ethnographic research and other qualitative methodologies, often focusing on the experiences and challenges of English language learners or Multilingual Learners in educational settings. Her work frequently examines issues of equity, cultural inclusion, and teacher practices, with a critical approach that advocates for systemic changes to better serve diverse student populations. This depth in qualitative research allows her to analyze complex social interactions and educational environments from a culturally responsive perspective.
Current Qualitative Project
This project with The Center for Economic Opportunity & Belonging contributes to the recent scholarly literature on belongingness through an exploratory qualitative investigation focusing on adolescents aged 13–19 residing in Utah. I am the Primary Investigator of this project with co-investigators Dr. Miguel Trujiilo and former Westminster student Bailey Rivera-Wymes. Our primary objective is to delve into the nuances of belongingness, examining its shared attributes and potential divergences among youth across six distinct communities in Utah. These communities were purposely selected to encompass a spectrum of geographical settings, encompassing the state’s urban and rural areas. The recruitment of student participants was facilitated through referrals from affiliated after-school program networks. In addition to collecting data on multifaceted dimensions of belongingness, our inquiry includes soliciting youths’ perspectives on extant or requisite programs and policies conducive to nurturing a sense of belonging within their localities. Belongingness, as conceptualized herein, pertains to an individual’s subjective perception of being valued, accepted, and integral within their social and academic spaces.