Jason Anthony Plummer
Dr. Jason Anthony Plummer is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach. His teaching and research focus on how young people, particularly youth of color, develop civic engagement, political voice, and strategies for social change. His scholarship examines voting rights, sociopolitical development, racial inequality, and the role of community-based organizations and safe spaces in supporting positive youth development. He also studies how experiences with racism, policing, and inequality shape young people’s political attitudes and participation.
Dr. Plummer’s work has been published in leading journals including Child Development, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, and the Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research. He is also the co-author of several book chapters on racial justice, youth activism, and policy practice. His research often bridges the classroom and the community, showing how policy decisions connect directly to the lives of families and communities served by social workers. Recent projects have examined MSW student perspectives on police reform and the value of study abroad programs for deepening critical reflection and practice.
Dr. Plummer earned his MSW and Master of Urban Planning from the University of Michigan and his PhD in Social Welfare from UCLA. His teaching integrates research, practice, and critical race theory to prepare students to recognize injustice, connect policy to practice, and create meaningful change.
PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
MSW, University of Michigan
MUP, University of Michigan
BA, Baruch College, City University of New York
Youth civic engagement and activism – how young people get involved in politics, social justice, and community change
Race, racism, and inequality – how racial identity and experiences shape opportunities, policies, and social systems
Voting rights and democracy – barriers to voting for young people and communities of color, and efforts to strengthen fair elections
Policing and public safety – how youth and communities experience police, and debates around reform, defunding, or abolition
Community-based organizations – the role of local programs and safe spaces in supporting youth development and empowerment
SW 505: Social Policy and Social Justice
SW 698C: Applied Social Work Projects I
SW 699C: Applied Social Work Projects II
SW 594B: Research Methods in Social Work II
