Mission

Prototype new ways that Vulnerable Populations can collaborate with universities, cities, and schools to Build Power and Self-determination, reduce disparities and create healthier neighborhoods so that people do not have to leave their communities in order to live, learn, work, and thrive.

Vision

A world where local knowledge powers neighborhood justice and sparks innovation with Vulnerable Populations.

SOUL is the first joint research lab between SFSU and UCSF.  The lab focuses on geospatial approaches to addressing biomedical research questions relevant to local communities.  In a world where revolutionary advances in technology have become the norm, SOUL researchers design and apply emerging technologies with our nation’s most Vulnerable Populations. What makes SOUL unique is that we check traditional disciplines at the door.  Experts ranging from public health, medicine, biology, Africana studies, ethnic studies, gender studies, sexuality studies, Big data, CPBR, and participatory technology, work side by side with community members, artist, and activist to invent—and reimagine— how biomedical research and bottom up innovation can improve the lives of everyday people.  

Our research projects range from the Geography of Homelessness, to a Map of accessibility and affordability for people living with disabilities in Oakland, changing conversations about diabetes through health literacy and health communications, to improving prevention and early detection of cancer. At SOUL we create projects that lift up local knowledge using participatory technology, clinical research, population health, basic research, CPBR, Data Visualization, and Big Data to improve the health and well-being of our nations most Vulnerable Populations.