Gastón Institute

Gastón Institute We inform policymakers about issues vital to the State’s Latino community & provide this community

The Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy was established in 1989 at the University of Massachusetts Boston by the Massachusetts State Legislature at the behest of Latino community leaders and scholars in response to a need for improved understanding of the Latino experience in the Commonwealth. The Institute honors the memory of Mauricio Gastón, a Cuban nati

ve and a long-time community activist in Boston who taught in the Community Planning Center at UMass Boston’s College of Public and Community Service from 1980 to the time of his death in 1986. A hallmark of the work of the Institute has been its consistent attention to the information and research needs of and about the Latino community. The Institute has consistently documented the Latino experience in Massachusetts through research and publications directed at scholarly audiences as well policy makers and Latino community leaders and institutions. A strong set of community partnerships supports the planning and execution of key public events such as the biennial Statewide Latino Public Policy Conferences. An Advisory Board made up of UMass Boston faculty and Latino community leaders from throughout the state, guides the research agenda of the Institute. The Gastón Institute is a member of the Inter-University Program for Latino Research, a national membership organization of university-based Latino research institutes.

Our new report focuses on the Latino presence in rural areas of MA through analyzing their demographics, individual char...
06/01/2026

Our new report focuses on the Latino presence in rural areas of MA through analyzing their demographics, individual characteristics and contributions to the workforce and their respective communities.

Check it out now!

Link to View:

In previous reports, the Gastón Institute has noted that the Latino population is dispersed across the state, but mainly to urban areas. In 2024, Latinos living in Massachusetts rural areas1 numbered 38,500, or 3.6% of the state's overall Latino population. Although Massachusetts is the third most ...

Are you an educator in MA? Researchers at UMass Boston want to hear from you!How is immigration enforcement affecting yo...
05/29/2026

Are you an educator in MA? Researchers at UMass Boston want to hear from you!

How is immigration enforcement affecting your school environment? If you're a P–12 educator in MA, please take this brief, confidential survey.

Share your experience here: https://umassboston.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cGzjlTGxO1p6Xqu

Our new report focuses on the economic contributions of the Latino population with irregular immigration status; it show...
05/28/2026

Our new report focuses on the economic contributions of the Latino population with irregular immigration status; it shows that they are an essential part of both our workforce and our community.

Check it out now!

Link to View:
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/gaston_pubs/345/

Join us for a virtual webinar where panelists will share how to use resources to protect vulnerable Latino communities f...
05/18/2026

Join us for a virtual webinar where panelists will share how to use resources to protect vulnerable Latino communities from healthcare funding cuts.

On Friday, May 22nd at 9-10 AM EST

Link to Join: https://tinyurl.com/3dc89cvy

Save the Date! Join us for a virtual webinar where panelists will share how to use resources to protect vulnerable Latin...
05/06/2026

Save the Date! Join us for a virtual webinar where panelists will share how to use resources to protect vulnerable Latino communities from healthcare funding cuts.

On Friday, May 22nd at 9-10 AM EST

Link to Join: https://tinyurl.com/3dc89cvy

Join our partners at Conexión for their upcoming virtual event discussing demographic trends as well as civic engagement...
05/04/2026

Join our partners at Conexión for their upcoming virtual event discussing demographic trends as well as civic engagement, voter behavior, and public opinion.

On Wednesday, May 20th, 2026
From 5:30 - 7 PM EST

RVSP Here: https://givebutter.com/CNXNDemographics

As a reminder, be sure to join us in our 2026 Spring Speaker Series Presentations by the two awardees of the 2025 Andrés...
04/24/2026

As a reminder, be sure to join us in our 2026 Spring Speaker Series Presentations by the two awardees of the 2025 Andrés Torres Paper Series Award.

On April 29, 1 - 2:30 PM EST

At the UMass Boston Campus ISC, 3rd Floor Room 3300.

Join us at the Gastón Institute's Brown Bag Lunch Series on Monday, April 27th at ISC Room 05-5300.Our presenters Florit...
04/22/2026

Join us at the Gastón Institute's Brown Bag Lunch Series on Monday, April 27th at ISC Room 05-5300.

Our presenters Florita Coto and Alejandro Alvarez will discuss the inequality in health behaviors and chronic health conditions of Latinos in MA.

Hope to see you all there!

Join our partners at the Latino Factor discussion for a conversation about entrepreneurship, economic mobility, and the ...
04/22/2026

Join our partners at the Latino Factor discussion for a conversation about entrepreneurship, economic mobility, and the growing influence of Brazilians in Massachusetts.

5:30–6:30 PM Networking Reception
6:30–8 PM Discussion

Register: https://tinyurl.com/5d48hvy3

Join us in our 2026 Spring Speaker Series Presentations by the two awardees of the 2025 Andrés Torres Paper Series Award...
04/13/2026

Join us in our 2026 Spring Speaker Series Presentations by the two awardees of the 2025 Andrés Torres Paper Series Award.

On April 29, 1:00 - 2:30 PM EST

At the UMass Boston Campus
ISC, 3rd Floor Room 3300.

Address

100 William T Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA
02125

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16172875790

Website

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