Associate Professor of Anthropology Cristina Ortiz has been named a recipient of the University of Minnesota’s 2024 Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Award. The award honors faculty who have done significant research, teaching, or service/leadership to advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the University, in the person’s field of study, or in the broader community. Ortiz was honored at the annual Equity and Diversity breakfast on Wednesday, Nov. 14.
Ortiz is a dedicated professor whose work centers on interdisciplinarity, engaged research, and inclusion. Her research highlights community engagement and centers on belonging, identity, labor, and migration, with a focus on Latinx and immigrant communities in the rural Midwest. Committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, Ortiz leads bilingual (Spanish-English) projects that enhance local understanding and collaboration. She explores how industrial agriculture shapes social relationships. She has actively involved undergraduate student researchers and community partners, reflecting her deep commitment to empowering local communities and fostering meaningful connections.
JEDI awards intend to advance and elevate equity work; provide funding in recognition of the value of that work; and showcase critical scholarship, pedagogy, and community engagement. Recipients receive a one-time $10,000 award to support their work in justice, equity, and diversity and inclusion.