Matthew Diemer examines how young people reflect on, negotiate, and challenge racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and other constraints in school, college, work, and civic/political institutions. He is particularly interested in how marginalized people develop critical consciousness, which is a careful analysis of societal inequalities, the motivation to produce social change, and participation in social or political action. His recent work examines the validation of a critical consciousness scale and how family wealth contributes to intergenerational educational and occupational success. Diemer serves on the editorial board for Journal of Youth and Adolescence and on the Professional Development Committee for the National Academy of Education. His research is currently funded by the Spencer Foundation, William T Grant Foundation, Institute for Education Sciences, National Institute of Health, and the National Science Foundation.