Shanna K. Kattari, PhD, MEd, CSE (they/them/theirs) is an associate professor at the University of Michigan 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 activist. Dr. Kattari’s research focuses on three areas that often overlap; disability & ableism, sexuality & sexual health, and queer & trans affirming practice. Their work aims to understand how power, privilege, and oppression systematically marginalize, exclude, and discriminate against people regarding their identities, while also uplifting the brilliance and resistance demonstrated by these communities in the face of stigma and harm. Recently, Kattari’s work has focused on the health disparities among trans/nonbinary communities, across physical, behavioral, and sexual health, using community-based participatory research and arts based methods. Their work has also included several studies on disability and ableism, particularly regarding the Academy, and social work education.
Dr. Kattari also explores experiences of sexuality in marginalized communities, most notably disabled adults, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, those practicing non-monogamy, and those practicing kink/Leather/BDSM. Their work with the SRG Collective allows them collaborators across North America, England, and Aotearoa/New Zealand, and they deeply value having many students and community members as collaborators.
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 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, having previously served as co-chair of the CSWE Council on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression.
Order your copy of Social Work and Health Care Practice with Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals and Communities, edited by Shanna K. Kattari, M. Killian Kinney, Leonardo Kattari, and N. Eugene Walls.
Dr. Kattari has been working in the fields of sexuality and social justice since receiving their Master’s of Education in Human Sexuality Education from Widener University. In their work as a sexuality educator and diversity/inclusivity consultant, they have supported organizations such as The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Fenway Health, the Mayo Clinic, Michigan Medicine, and the American Medical Students Association’s sexual health scholars program to bring LGBTQIA2S+, disability, and size inclusivity to health care, and with many colleges and universities to offer accessible sex education on campus. Additionally, they have several popular press books on the market, have written for several publications, and have been on the board of directors for several social justice related organizations, including the Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health, and the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights.
Shanna K. Kattari 