“Undocumented Knowledges” – A Civic Engagement Lunch Talk Follow-Up
Introduction
On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Barbara Sostaita, PhD, Esmeralda Arrizón-Palomera, PhD, and Jorge Mena Robles, MA presented their research on undocumented knowledge at UIC as part of IPCE’s Civic Engagement Lunch Talk Series.
The presenters highlighted the pivotal role University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) students have played in undocumented social movements. Dr. Sostaita, Dr. Arrizón-Palomera, and Jorge Mena Robles shared how their team collected oral histories from UIC student activists who participated in these movements from the mid-2000s to the 2010s to create a public digital archive. The team aims for the archive to be utilized by UIC faculty, staff, and students to support learning and teaching around undocumented oral histories and knowledge.
Their presentation featured interview clips, personal reflections on their connections to immigration rights work, and historical context grounding their research in UIC’s and Chicago's long-standing activism history. Attendees viewed footage from immigration rights protests in Chicago, followed by a conversation between attendees and presenters about observations.
The team is planning for a launch of the Digital Archives on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026, at 12pm at the Latino Cultural Center. Save the date!
The presentation attracted a large audience, with 60+ attendees. We thank Dr. Sostaita, Dr. Arrizón-Palomera, and Jorge Mena Robles for their wonderful research that helps further our understanding of effective strategies and tools for civic engagement!
