About Us
Our Team
Damon A. Williams, Ph.D.Senior Scholar, Innovation Fellow
Brian A. Burt, Ph.D.Research Scientist
Claire BrainardLAB Manager
Shawn Anthony Robinson, Ph.D.Senior Research Associate
Kayla M. GrossSpecial Projects Manager and Research Assistant
DeVon L. WilsonResearch Associate
Blayne D. Stone, Jr.Research Associate
Josh WallaceResearch Associate
Na LorResearch Associate
Tiaira PorterResearch Associate
Toni HoustonMultimedia Assistant
Ava LessinOffice Assistant
History of The Wei Lab
2009
The Beginning
Professor Jerlando F. L. Jackson and Vice Provost Damon A. Williams had a series of conversations focused on the need for a research unit on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison to assist with the mission of the Office of Diversity and Climate.
2010
Established 2010
Wisconsin’s Equity and Inclusion Laboratory (Wei LAB) was established at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in May of 2010 as an externally funded research unit within Wisconsin’s Center for Educational Research (WCER). The Wei LAB is headed by Professor Jerlando F. L. Jackson of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) and Wisconsin’s Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education (WISCAPE) as Director and Chief Research Scientist.
Committed to Black Male Success
The Wei LAB was selected to be a part of the Institutional Change for Black Males Student Success Project funded by the Lumina Foundation for Education. As part of this project, the Beyond the Game™ (BTG) Program was developed.
Inaugural Staff
In June 2010, the Wei LAB welcomed its inaugural staff members: Dr. LaVar Charleston (Senior Research Associate); Elizabeth O’Callaghan (Research Associate); Ryan Adserias (Research Assistant); Michelle Boone (Office Manager); Zina Knox (Data Manager); and Jasmine Bounds (Social Media/Marketing Specialist).
A4RC
Wei LAB, along with partner institutions, was awarded a NSF grant for Alliance between Historical Black Universities and Research Universities for Collaborative Education and Research in Computing Disciplines (A4RC).
2011
Campus Climate Survey
The Wei LAB partnered with the UW LGBT Campus Center to conduct research studying the campus climate for LGBT+ students at UW-Madison.
State of Black Arizona Project
The Wei LAB was commissioned by the State of Black Arizona Project to study Occupational Demands and Arizona’s Scientific Workforce.
NSF Grants
The Wei LAB was awarded a NSF grant – RAPID: Understanding the Impact of the Alliance for the Advancement of African-American Researchers in Computing (A4RC).
2012
Structural Development of Wei LAB
In Summer 2012, the University of Wisconsin-Madison provided institutional resources to build the infrastructure of the Wei LAB, through the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement.
Staff Additions
In September 2012, the Wei LAB expanded its staff to include: Dr. LaVar J. Charleston (Assistant Director and Senior Research Associate); Ryan Adserias (Research Associate); Jonathan Berhanu (Research Associate); Barbara Escobar (Research Associate); Jihye Kam (Survey Research Associate); Sean Frazier (NSIA Coordinator); Benjamin Toff (Editorial Associate); Leora Goldblatt (Communications Coordinator); Leah Foecke (Office Manager); and Jeremie Merriweather (Special Projects Manager).
ICBME 2012
In November 2012, the Wei LAB co-sponsored the inaugural International Colloquium on Black Males in Education, which was held at the University of Leeds in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. View event photos here.
2013
iAAMCS
The Wei LAB, along with partner institutions, was awarded a NSF grant for the Institute for African American Mentoring in Computing Sciences (iAAMCS).
Renovated Suite
The Wei LAB moved into the newly renovated WCER suite. The Wei LAB expanded to 10 staff members, including researchers, administrative personnel, undergraduates, and graduate students.
ICBME 2013
The second annual International Colloquium on Black Males in Education was held in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. View event photos here.
2014
NSIA
The National Study of Intercollegiate Athletics (NSIA) was launched in partnership with the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA).
Surgery-Education Research Initiative
The Wei LAB formed a partnership with UW-Madison’s Surgery Department to develop and study Augmented Reality Surgical Training Modules.
Urban Education Conference
The Wei LAB co-sponsored the 2014 International Conference on Urban Education (ICUE) which occurred on November 6-8 in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
BTG Solutions
The Wei LAB established a Translational and Commercialization Division, and in turn, started its first university startup company: Beyond the Game Solutions LLC.
ICBME 2014
The third annual International Colloquium on Black Males in Education was held in Atlanta, GA. View event photos here.
2015
Innovation Incubator
The Wei LAB pilot-tested the Innovation Incubator (I2) concept–a collaborative program to develop educational technologies that drive deeper learning, improve knowledge and skill mastery, and engage more diverse populations of learners in higher education. The cornerstone of the project is to develop and advance a wearable Augmented Reality (AR) program, which will transform the classroom and learning process.
Social Innovation
The Wei LAB committed to a social innovation agenda to address community-based challenges by establishing partnerships with local, state, national, and global entities committed to eradicating educational and workforce inequities.
Staff Additions
The Wei LAB expanded to 19 staff, including researchers, administrative personnel, undergraduates, and graduate students.
Black Student-Athlete Summit
The Wei LAB co-sponsored the 2015 Black Student-Athlete Summit, a conference that examined and discussed the complex issues surrounding the black student-athlete.
ICBME 2015
The fourth annual International Colloquium on Black Males in Education was held in Kingston, Jamaica. View event photos here.
2016
NSF INCLUDES
The Wei LAB was awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for the NSF INCLUDES Program, an initiative to broaden and enhance STEM fields.
International Urban Education Conference
The Wei LAB co-sponsored the 2016 International Conference on Urban Education (ICUE) which occurred on November 3–5 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Black Student-Athlete Summit
The Wei LAB co-sponsored the 2016 Black Student-Athlete Summit, a conference that examined and discussed the complex issues surrounding the black student-athlete.
ICBME 2016
The fifth annual International Colloquium on Black Males in Education was held in St. Hamilton, Bermuda. View event photos here.
2017
Hilliard-Sizemore
The Wei LAB became a co-sponsor for the 10th annual Hilliard and Sizemore Research Course on African Americans and Education.
New Book Release
Dr. Jerlando F. L Jackson and Dr. LaVar J. Charleston, along with Northern Illinois University Assistant Professor of Adult and Higher Education and UW-Madison School of Education graduate Cornelius Gilbert, served as editors for the new book, Advancing Equity and Diversity in Student Affairs: A Festschrift in Honor of Melvin C. Terrell.
Black Student-Athlete Summit
The Wei LAB co-sponsored the 2017 Black Student-Athlete Summit, a conference that examined and discussed the complex issues surrounding the black student-athlete.
ICBME 2017
The sixth annual International Colloquium on Black Males in Education was held in Toronto, Canada. View event photos here.
Support Our Mission
Making a gift to Wisconsin’s Equity and Inclusion Laboratory (Wei LAB) is a simple and excellent way to support the efforts of the LAB. You can make a gift online or by mail.
Donate by Mail
To donate by mail, please write out a check payable to the University of Wisconsin Foundation. In the memo line, write “Wisconsin Center for Education Research Fund – WEI LAB (12300684).”
Mail your check to:
University of Wisconsin Foundation
U.S. Bank Lockbox
P.O. Box 78236
Milwaukee, WI 53278-0236
Donate Online
To donate online, click the link below to be taken directly to the UW-Foundation website.
Our Partners
