Current Projects
The Transition to Motherhood
My primary research focuses on the transition to motherhood for first time mothers. As a social worker who has worked extensively with new moms, I have a particular sensitivity to the challenges experienced by first time parents, especially mothers. Reproduction and parenting continue to be sites for the active recreation of race, class and gender-based inequalities. Ongoing structural inequality is made evident by our nation’s lack of universally available parental leave policy, which ostensibly offer parental benefits to some while denying them to others. In my research, I uncover implicit ways that these inequalities are reproduced across the transition to parenthood.
Singleness & Dating at Midlife
Together with a team of sociologists at the University of Michigan, I am part of an ongoing study about the search for love and intimacy at midlife. We interviewed over seventy-five men and women sex between the ages of 35 and 55 about their experiences of singleness, dating, love and. We are currently working on several articles exploring our findings, including the fluidity of the term “single,” and the many forms romantic and sexual relationships may take.
Intergroup Dialogue
After studying and co-facilitating intergroup dialogue with Michigan teenagers as a Masters in Social Work student, I went on to teach the principles of intergroup dialogue at the Institute of Social Work & Social Science in Petionville, Haiti during Summer 2012 & 2013. I am currently working on a paper draft called “Entering Communities,” which draws on my experience working in multiple marginalized communities, to offer guidelines for students beginning domestic or international service learning opportunities.
Understanding Today’s Social Work Students
I believe that good education goes hand in hand with mutual respect and understanding between teachers and learners. I strive to learn about best practices in teaching and engaged pedagogy, and also makes an effort to get to know my students. Together with Peter Felsman and Mary Ruffolo, I co-authored a paper on the aspirations and values of recent social work Masters students.
Collaboration & Student Mentorship
I enjoy working with others, and have collaborated with multiple research teams. I have also supervised half a dozen undergraduate research assistants and mentored many other students, who went on to study sociology, social work, dentistry, medicine, business and law.
