Meredith Worthen

Dr. Meredith Worthen is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Oklahoma, affiliated with the Department of Sociology within the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin (2009) and has been recognized for her impactful work in LGBTQ studies and criminology. Her research focuses on LGBTQ stigma, queer/feminist criminology, and the intersections of gender, sexuality, and crime. Dr. Worthen is the founder of the LGBTQ Research & Engagement Collective at OU and the creator of The Welcoming Project, which promotes LGBTQ inclusivity globally.

Her scholarly contributions include groundbreaking books such as Queers, Bis, and Straight Lies: An Intersectional Examination of LGBTQ Stigma (2020) and Interrogating the Use of LGBTQ Slurs (2023). Her work employs Norm-Centered Stigma Theory to analyze how societal norms perpetuate prejudice. She also advocates for sexual assault survivors through her #MeTooMeredith initiative.

Research interests span LGBTQ stigma dynamics, transgender visibility, and the stigmatization of nonbinary and queer identities. Her articles address topics like rural LGBTQ negativity, drag culture’s mental health impacts, and #MeToo movement implications for sexual violence reporting.

• Awards: ScholarGPS Top Scholar (2024), Provost’s Community Engagement Award (2021), Irene Rothbaum Award (2013)
• Grants/Initiatives: LGBTQ Ally Program, Division on Queer Criminology co-founder
• Labs/Teams: LGBTQ Research & Engagement Collective, The Welcoming Project