Who We Are
At Taproot Research Collective, we believe that learning and reflection are catalysts for justice.
We partner with nonprofits and philanthropic organizations, using evaluation and research to advance immigrant justice, effect systems change, and create lasting, sustainable impact.
Driven by practice-based knowledge and rigorous research methodologies, we bring a deep commitment to research ethics, equity and intersectionality, and co-creation of solutions. We center the lived experience of individuals and communities most impacted by immigration, detention, and deportation policy.
Whether its strengthening programming for the communities you serve and your dedicated staff, improving organizational sustainability through diversified funding efforts, or responding to emergent needs and policy changes, Taproot Research Collective is your evaluation, research, and strategy partner on the ground and by your side in our collective efforts to advance immigrant justice.
Our Mission
We help organizations advancing immigrant justice adapt to changing needs, demonstrate their impact, and grow more resilient through partnerships that translate insights into actionable strategies with real-world impact.
Our Vision
We envision a nation where everyone, regardless of their immigration status or history, is shown dignity, humanity, and justice. We commit ourselves to the vision of an immigration system rooted in fairness and justice for all.
Marina Burka, Founder & Principal
Marina is a researcher and evaluator dedicated to strengthening immigrant justice organizations through learning, reflection, and evidence-based strategy. For the past decade, she has worked across immigration law, policy, and service delivery—bringing a research lens to every stage of program design and implementation. Most recently, she served as Senior Program Manager at The Resurrection Project, where she led multi-million-dollar immigrant justice funding programs and directed program evaluations that informed statewide strategy and impact reporting.
Marina’s work bridges nonprofits, research institutes, and academic institutions, with expertise in mixed-methods research, participatory evaluation, and translating complex data into actionable insights. A qualitative researcher by training, she believes data should tell stories that honor people’s lived experiences while driving systems change and organizational sustainability.
A former Fulbright Scholar to the United Kingdom, Marina holds a Master of Research in Human Geography from the University of Glasgow. She is fluent in Spanish.