Michael Swain

Michael Swain is a Part-Time Faculty member at Wayne State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, affiliated with the Employment and Labor Relations department. He concurrently serves as Unit Vice Chair for UAW Local 889, Oakland County Unit, and holds a fourth-generation UAW membership. Swain holds a PhD in Epidemiology (University of Florida, 2022), an MPH in Health Policy (The George Washington University, 2016), and a BPA in Public Affairs (Wayne State University, 2013).

Research Expertise: His work focuses on labor organizing, public sector unions, epidemiological analysis of substance use, and contract negotiations. Notable research includes studies on health disparities in research participation and interventions addressing energy drink overconsumption.

Teaching: Swain has taught

• ELR4500 - Applied Labor Studies
• ELR7550 - Selected Topics in Employment and Labor Relations
• PH4400 - Methodological Approaches in Public Health

across multiple terms from 2023-2025.

Awards: Recipient of the Douglas A. Fraser Center Labor Education Development Grant (2024).

Professional Background: Combines academic research with labor advocacy, leveraging epidemiological methods to address systemic issues in workplace health and union dynamics.