About Us
The Women + Girls Research Alliance was founded as a community-based organization in 2006 and integrated into the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2010. The Alliance provides faculty, students and the community with opportunities for research and education on women’s policy issues.
We focus on the crucial fields of
- Employment and Earnings
- Civic and Political Engagement
- Economic Security
- Health and Well-Being
- Violence Against Women
First, we mobilize. W+GRA encourages engaged research focused on issues related to the economic, social and physical well-being of women and girls. We encourage co-production among researchers, community residents, and practitioners. Our competitive Seed Grant program supports emerging scholarship from UNC Charlotte faculty that expands and elevates the voices of all women and girls in academic research.
Second, we equip. W+GRA champions partnerships with a growing network of grassroots and established organizations devoted to issues related to women and girls to build their knowledge and organizational capacity. One example is our work with a local organization to provide an evaluation plan focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Third, we convene. Since 2008, the W+GRA has hosted gatherings and conversations with experts and scholars. We encourage active, data-driven partnerships that lead to improved outcomes for women and girls. Our most recent biennial Women’s Summit in 2021, entitled “Recovery and Discovery: Women & Girls in a Dual Pandemic,” focused on the economic, social, physical, and mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial unrest on our community.