CRE2 brings the research force of Washington University to study how race and ethnicity are integral to the most complex and challenging issues of our time.
We believe in field-defining research, innovative learning, and strategic engagement that will transform scholarship, policy and clinical interventions where race and ethnicity are at the center.
Key Pillars and Initiatives
CRE2 centers its work around four strategic pillars that guide our research, collaborations, and community engagement. These pillars reflect our institutional commitments and drive initiatives that are distinct, evolving, and deeply embedded in the region and beyond. While each pillar supports specific areas of inquiry and practice, they are designed to intersect—encouraging innovation across disciplines and partnerships. Together, they represent the foundation of CRE2’s mission to advance the study of race, ethnicity, and equity through dynamic scholarship and community-engaged work.
St. Louis Area-Based Research and Partnerships
This geographic focus is reflected in curriculum development, research, clinical practice, and community-engaged scholarship. It is a WashU strength and yet an area in distinct need of continued evolution, highlighting, and coordination. We aim to strengthen support for research, community partnerships and projects, and convenings that address and enhance our knowledge of the history, demographics, culture, and critical policy issues (among others), specific to the greater St. Louis region. We are also eager to play a more active role in better connecting colleagues leading community-engaged scholarship and research based in St. Louis.
Health Equity
This pillar supports research and scholarship that address disparities in health outcomes and access to care, with particular attention to social determinants of health, healthcare systems, and community-driven solutions. We aim to foster greater collaboration between the Danforth and Medical campuses and to expand institutional support for scholars and partners working in health equity—including through new opportunities for seed funding. The establishment of WashU’s School of Public Health presents an exciting opportunity to grow this work across disciplines and campuses.
Migration, Immigration, and Refugees
CRE2 highlights and advances research on migration, immigration, and refugee experiences—both locally and globally. This work reflects ongoing geopolitical shifts and longstanding historical patterns that shape human movement. Scholars affiliated with CRE2 examine the policies that impact immigrant and refugee communities, as well as the cultural, political, and economic dimensions of migration. Through this pillar, we aim to elevate and connect research and community work that responds to these urgent and evolving issues
Cultural Memory, History, and Preservation
CRE2 supports research exploring how communities document, transmit, and preserve cultural memory. Drawing from the humanities and social sciences, this work includes oral histories, archival collections, digital humanities, public history projects, and ethnographic research. These efforts deepen our understanding of the lived experiences, traditions, and historical narratives of racial and ethnic communities—broadening our view of the human condition and illuminating how memory shapes both present realities and future possibilities.