Security & Privacy Research Group

Build
Collectively.
Protect All.

We focus on security and privacy topics that impact marginalized and historically ignored communities — applying the Ujima principle of collective work and responsibility to research.

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Led by Dr. Imani N. S. Munyaka  ·  UC San Diego
Focus Areas

Research That Centers Community

Privacy
Marginalized Community Privacy
Studying how privacy risks disproportionately affect communities often overlooked by mainstream security research.
Security
Inclusive Security Design
Building tools and frameworks that make digital security accessible and equitable for all people.
Community
Participatory Research Methods
Working directly with end-users and cross-disciplinary experts to ensure research has real-world impact.
Our Mission

What Does Ujima Mean?

Ujima is a Swahili word often translated as "collective work and responsibility." It is the third principle of Kwanzaa, emphasizing community, mutual aid, and shared effort.

We apply this principle to our research by working with end-users and experts from various disciplines to improve the security and privacy experiences of communities that are too often left out of the conversation.

Meet the Team →
// Core Principles
Collective Work
Research built with communities, not just about them.
Shared Responsibility
Security and privacy are rights, not privileges.
Interdisciplinary Impact
Crossing disciplines to reach people where they are.