At my school they are pushing all of us hard (white guys too) to do research as undergrads, and the only money around is linked to social justice research. The school wants to grow its influence, and farming a large crop of students with advanced degrees seems part of the plan, but despite being in a conservative area the money for academic research is all tied to advancing social justice. I have no idea of why that is, but it is. It seems a bit limiting and soul destroying, frankly.
“linked to social justice research’
Do the research and publish the truth. You will probably be canned.