Research Guides: Social Justice Research: Websites

Introduction to the sources

Below are a sampling of resources from the general web that include organizations devoted to advocacy, politics and policy, educational institutions, and think tanks.

Though these sources are recommended based on a certain level of credibility, you should approach any source with a critical eye. Ask yourself: can you trace the claims that are being made? Does that publisher have an agenda that may impact the content it publishes? If you are unsure about a source, act like a fact-checker: go outside the source and trace the claims, and learn more about author/publisher on wikipedia. When in doubt, or if you get stuck, reach out to a librarian or your teacher!

Advocacy Organizations

This is not an exhaustive list! Consider the nature of the topic you are researching, and how it might intersect with these organizations, or ones outside of this list. For additional organizations, visit the resources page of the Civil Rights Project out of UCLA or perform your own online search.

To vet a resource, keep the SIFT method in mind. Think like a fact-checker: can you verify or learn more about the organization by reading up on Wikipedia, newspaper articles, or sites providing an overview of charitable organizations?

American Civil Liberties Union
The ACLU reports on and defends the civil liberties of all citizens, including young people. This is a helpful website to access current events relating to issues within the diversity and inclusion conversation.
Amnesty International: US Issues
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organization focused on human rights, with its headquarters in the United Kingdom.
Human Rights Campaign
As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization, HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
Human Rights Watch: United States
The United States Program of Human Rights Watch protects and promotes the fundamental rights and dignity of every person subject to the authority of the US government. We investigate and expose systemic human rights violations committed by the US federal, state and local governments, with the aim of ensuring racial equity across issue areas but with a particular focus on immigration, the criminal legal system, and achieving racial justice in the United States.
National Center for Transgender Equality
This national organization’s Youth and Students section contains news and information about supporting transgender students in schools including guidance on being a good ally. It is also a good place to go for an overview of trans issues, as well as a rundown of trans rights.
Project on Student Debt (The Institute for College Access and Success)
The Project on Student Debt is an initiative of the Institute for College Access & Success, a nonprofit independent research and policy organization dedicated to making college more available and affordable to people of all backgrounds.
Urban Institute
The Urban Institute is a non-profit, nonpartisan policy research and educational organization established to examine the social, economic, and governance problems facing the nation.
NAACP
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is a civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909 as an interracial endeavor to advance justice for African Americans.
Student Loan Justice
StudentloanJustice.Org is a grassroots, citizens organization dedicated to returning standard consumer protections to student loans. The group was started in March, 2005, and has focused primarily on research, media outreach, and grassroots lobbying initiatives.

Policy and Research Institutions

Center for Public Integrity
The Center for Public Integrity is a nonprofit investigative news organization focused on inequality in the U.S. For publications related specifically to issues of democracy, explore the Democracy category.
Congressional Research Service Reports Database
A public policy research institute of the United States Congress. Operating within the Library of Congress, it works primarily and directly for members of Congress and their committees and staff on a confidential, nonpartisan basis.
Institutions of Democracy
From the Annenberg Public Policy Center of The University of Pennsylvania.
Pew Research Center
A nonpartisan American think tank based in Washington, D.C. It provides information on social issues, public opinion, and demographic trends shaping the United States and the world.