Gigi Gutiérrez

Gigi Gutiérrez is an ethnographer and conflict resolution specialist whose work focuses on the lived experiences of young people navigating systemic failure, trauma, and conflict. Drawing on her background as a social scientist, conflictolgist and mediator, Gigi’s practice integrates research with frontline delivery, amplifying youth voices and driving meaningful reform.

She is the author of the powerful ethnographic chapter A Profoundly Neglected Borough, which explores the intersection of poverty, structural violence, and youth resilience. Gigi’s projects have spanned community mediation, school-based interventions, and cross-cultural initiatives, including collaborative work with mediators in the UK and US to empower young people as agents of change.

At Bridging the Gap 2026, Gigi will share insights from her research and practice on “The Overlooked Link Between Family Law and the School-to-Prison Pipeline”.

Family law and the school-to-prison pipeline are closely connected through factors relating to custody disputes, economic hardship, domestic violence, and foster care placement. These legal and familial challenges often create instability and trauma for children, which can lead to behavioral issues in school. Instead of receiving support, these students are frequently met with punitive discipline, increasing their risk of entering the juvenile justice system. While family law doesn't directly cause the pipeline, it often shapes the conditions of funneling youth toward incarceration.

Gigi’s session promises to challenge perspectives and inspire delegates to think differently about how we support vulnerable children and families.