Jason Campos was awarded the American Sociological Association's 2024 Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant. This is the former National Science Foundation's (NSF) DDRIG program that is now funded (with NSF funds) through ASA. The program gives out a maximum of 25 awards each year nationwide to support highly talented doctoral students who are conducting cutting-edge sociological research that has the potential to both advance scientific knowledge and contribute to the public good. The application to the new round of ASA DDRIG funding is open and the application deadline is November 4, 2024. See more about the application requirements directly at the ASA DDRIG Program page.
Jason's dissertation focuses on social construction of criminality and resistance in a gentrified San Diego community. As the largest minority group in the United States, Latinas/os have been stigmatized by stereotypes that position them as more criminally inclined and hostile towards police. Few studies have considered how these perceptions are built and sustained within the neighborhood context. Jason's dissertation project aims to investigate what factors influence the perceptions of Latina/o criminality and how it shapes criminal outcomes. To better understand these patterns, Jason uses Logan Heights (also known as Barrio Logan), a mostly Mexican-American neighborhood in San Diego, CA, to examine how the experiences of residents in a community are impacted by perceived criminality and contact with police.
Drawing on interviews with neighborhood residents, ethnographic fieldwork, and aggregate crime and victimization data, this study advances our understanding of Latina/os in the criminal justice system by examining the relationship between: 1) community member perceptions and experiences with police; 2) neighborhood crime histories and policing practices; and 3) resistance strategies for community identity and survival. Jason will share insights gained from this project with community members, academics, and practitioners to deepen understanding on the influence that local and state officials have when enforcing criminal laws on Latinas/os and on the neighborhoods where racial and ethnic minorities live.
Congratulations, Jason! This is an amazing accomplishment!