The Social Justice Initiative at UIC

The Social Justice Initiative (SJI) is a unit at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Our work is focused on promoting a greater good, serving the under-served, and improving lives through scholarship, teaching and community engagement. Over 200 UIC faculty and staff describe their research, teaching, and professional work as social justice related. From studies of racial and gender violence, to oral histories of undocumented workers, to health care providers that intervene in crises all over the world, UIC scholars are engaged in life altering research that promotes greater equity, inclusion, justice and sustainability.

Through the work of its faculty advisory committee, staff, student affiliates and community partners SJI has four ongoing program areas: the Pop Up JUST Art (PUJA) gallery, the Pipeline to Justice Scholarship and Mentoring Program for Undergraduates, and public programs and special events. We also support and collaborate with the Social Justice Minor, housed in the Gender and Women’s Studies Program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.