PSU History
I joined PSU's School of Social Work in the Fall of 2005.
Experience
Prior to entering graduate school, I worked as an advocate in shelters for 'women and children' experiencing intimate partner violence. Most of my social work practice, teaching and research experience revolves around issues of violence- at the individual, community and state level. In addition to being active in a range of anti-violence movements in and out of the U.S., I've been engaged in anti-criminalization movements including the sex workers' rights movements since the early 1990s. I also have experience with motivational interviewing. I'm a MINT Certified Trainer and have been training individuals, groups and organizations in MI since 2000.
Academic/Research Interests
I'm drawn to questions and issues of survival and well being. Many of my interests and projects engage issues of violence including but not limited to interpersonal violence, structural and institutional violence, as well as state sanctioned violence such as criminalization, militarization and occupation. Attention to oppression and liberation also infuse many of my interests. Critical theories, post-structuralism and more recently postcolonialism. I teach courses on social justice, intimate partner violence, criminalization and the sex trades, philosophies of science, qualitative inquiry, and motivational interviewing.
Personal Interests
I've been a competitive swimmer most of my life. These days I prefer big bodies of water. I love to stand up paddle board, surf, bike, and most things that take me outdoors. I also love to cook and eat. I'm learning guitar and wish I could sing.