PEP conducts groundbreaking research in underserved areas of inquiry within reproductive rights, which has always served as the foundation of our work in reaching out to our constituency and building the capacity of grassroots organizations that serve them.

PEP has conducted both qualitative and quantitative research initiatives and disseminated our findings through national research briefings to organizations and individuals interested in learning about the attitudes and experiences of young women.

Our briefings provide important opportunities for cross-movement building and youth leadership development.  Through our briefings, we gather social justice organizations from around the country and strategize with them on how to better outreach to their communities based on our findings. In addition, briefings serve as a two-way information-sharing vehicle, as we gather feedback from participants on their needs, experiences, ideas and insights that we use to reshape the briefings and inform the movement as a whole. Our Young Women's Leadership Council members and interns are encouraged to conduct briefings in their local communities and support PEP staff in informing the national movement of our findings.

In 2004, PEP conducted She Speaks, a qualitative research project specifically focused on documenting the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of Latino and African-American young women regarding reproductive health and rights. To read more about She Speaks, please click here.

In 2008, PEP conducted a quantitative study on young African-American, Latina and Asian Pacific Islander women and their reproductive health, rights and activism. The results of this research were published in "On Our Terms". To learn more about this research and download the report, please click here.