"I feel like a space where we all share our identity would be great": Carving pathways for future Latina researchers via youth participatory action research.

OBJECTIVES: Using the Roadmap for Centering Latinx Youth Voice in Developmental Science (Bañales, Pinetta, et al., 2023) and Positive Youth Development Model for Girls of Color (Clonan-Roy et al., 2016), we explored how youth participatory action research spaces can be attuned to the sociopolitical, professional, and personal needs of Latina youth researchers. METHOD: We draw on two examples of Latina-based youth participatory action research projects-one in the Midwest and one in the Westcoast-that partner with Latina youth researchers. The first project, Latinas in Research, is a podcast created and hosted by three Latina undergraduate students. In their conversations, they explore factors that shape their identities as Latina researchers, including their language, experiences as youth, community connections, and collaborative practices within research spaces. The second project centers on Orgullosas y Poderosas, a research collaborative of Latina high school students who engaged in dialogic practices where they investigated the impact of gentrification. RESULTS: Using thematic analysis, we generated two core themes that highlight what Latina youth look for in research spaces: (a) opportunities to integrate their voices to challenge white supremacy and (b) opportunities to engage them in research for social change. CONCLUSION: Our findings emphasize the need for culturally embedded and feminist methodologies to support Latinas as they address issues affecting their communities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).