Shanna K. Kattari, PhD, MEd, CSE, ACS (they/them/theirs) is an assistant professor at the School of Social Work, in the Women’s and Gender Studies Department (by courtesy) and is the director of the [Sexuality|Relationships|Gender] Research Collective. A White, Jewish, nonbinary, disabled, chronically ill, neurodivergent, polyamorous, queer fat Femme, their practice and community background is as a board-certified sexologist, certified sexuality educator and social justice advocate. Kattari’s extant research focuses on understanding how power, privilege and oppression systematically marginalize, exclude and discriminate against people regarding their identities/expressions through negative attitudes, policies reinforcing oppression, oppressive actions and isolation. Recently, Kattari’s work has focused on the health disparities among trans/nonbinary communities, across physical and behavioral health, as well as working with the community through community-based participatory research to better understand how the lack of inclusive providers has increased these disparities.

They also explore experiences of sexuality in marginalized communities, particularly disabled adults, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, those practicing non-monogamy, and those practicing link/Leather/BDSM. Their work with the SRG Collective allows them collaborators across North America and New Zealand, and they also value having many students and community members as collaborators.

In their work, Kattari strongly believes in translational research which benefits the communities being researched, and values making research accessible to not only academics but also to society at large. They are also committed to engaging, innovative education and critical pedagogy, multi-level omnidirectional mentorship models, and supporting individuals from a variety of identities in entering, navigating and succeeding in the academy. Kattari is also the co-chair of the Caucus of LGBTQ Faculty & Students in Social Work, and serves on the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Council on Disability and Persons with Disabilities. They previously served as co-chair of the CSWE Council on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression.