The Identity Development Across the African Diaspora (IDAD) Lab
The Identity Development Across the African Diaspora (IDAD) Lab, founded by Dr. Ada Onyewuenyi—Associate Professor of Psychology and affiliate faculty in African American Studies at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)—is a dynamic research collective focused on how identity and social inequality shape educational outcomes for Black youth.
Our work spans the African Diaspora, including African immigrants, Black Americans, Caribbean immigrants, and Afro-Latinx communities. Through community-based research and hands-on collaboration, we explore the experiences of adolescents and emerging adults navigating identity and educational access.
What You’ll Do as a Lab Member
As a part of the IDAD Lab, you’ll actively contribute to meaningful, community-rooted research. Lab members engage in a variety of activities, including:
Collaborating with teens, young adults, and local community partners
Reading and synthesizing academic literature
Designing research protocols and recruiting participants
Assisting with data entry, coding, and analysis
Presenting findings at conferences and co-authoring publications
You’ll gain practical experience in developmental and educational psychology, all while making an impact both on campus and off.
Who Should Apply?
We welcome students from all grade levels and majors—especially those interested in:
Youth development and educational equity
Off-campus research and community engagement
African Diaspora studies and social justice
Weekly lab meetings take place Wednesdays from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. If you're passionate about working with youth, challenging inequality, and growing as a scholar, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Dr. Onyewuenyi to be part of transformative, justice-oriented research
