Carlos Martínez-Cano

I am a native of the U.S./México Borderlands and an anthropologist specializing in ethnographic investigations of non-dominant youth populations. My scholarly interests include how youth self-direct, both individually and in community, toward learning in out-of-school contexts. Meeting adolescents and young adults “where they are” in terms of practices to which they devote their time centers the knowledge and skills they value. Recently my research focus has broadened beyond STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) learning (i.e. how youth utilize and create technologies), to include how youth engage in notions and practices of physical and mental well-being, mindfulness, and leadership skills such as empathy, resilience, and perseverance. One advantage of this research focus is that it extends beyond digital literacy practices and screens. The learning in which youth engage occurs in natural settings, mindfulness spaces and/or physical activity, with digital devices playing a small supporting role, rather than a central one. An anthropological and ethnographic approach to understanding these types of learning connects the health of the individuals in community to the myriad technological environments integrated in daily life. Throughout, the broadly conceived questions remain, “How are young people from non-dominant communities learning together in ways that positively shape their identities? How do youth perceive of their health and well-being and balance that with the technological demands placed upon them? And, how can researchers support the informal learning practices of youth based on the cultural values of their home communities in ways that allow youth to demonstrate their agency across multiple contexts (home, school, social life)?”