Sarah Zeller-Berkman has ample experience both in the field of research about adolescent issues and doing direct service work with young people. In 2005, she received a research grant to conduct a participatory action research project with six youth co-researchers related to the impact of parental incarceration on families and communities. The PAR team is currently conducting research to create a series of recommendations for a Soros funded policy initiative. In January, 2006 she was hired to consult for the WHAT KIDS CAN DO organization which enables her to advise youth PAR projects funded by the organization in the New York City area. In addition to acting as P.I. on youth PAR projects, she has learned immensely from working with her mentor Dr. Fine on various youth research projects. All of her research with youth is informed by her experience as director of adolescent programs, for a non-profit Hour Children, for youth who have a mother in prison.

Sarah Zeller-Berkman is also an evaluation consultant who has managed the evaluation of an 18 site, YMCA, youth development initiative since 2004. As a consultant she works on a myriad of other participatory evaluation projects with organizations that serve both youth and adults for Kim Sabo Consultants and ActKnowledge Consultants.

Sarah Zeller –Berkman is an adjunct professor at Brooklyn College in the Children’s Studies department who is currently teaching a course on ‘children in crisis.’ She recently co-authored with Michelle Fine, Eve Tuck an article about PAR and Indigenous Knowledge entitled: Do you believe in Geneva? Methods and ethics at the global local nexus for The Handbook of Qualitative Research.