معرفی
Dr. Amanda Fehlbaum serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities & Social Sciences at Youngstown State University (YSU), where she has taught since Fall 2014 and currently directs the Women's and Gender Studies program. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Oklahoma (2014), an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas (2009), and a B.A. in Gender Studies from the same institution (2007).
Her research portfolio centers on Gender and Sexuality through intersectional lenses examining Body and Embodiment, Race and Ethnicity, and Media and Culture. Fehlbaum employs Qualitative Methods to investigate how sociocultural forces shape experiences of Adolescence, Family dynamics, and Health outcomes, with particular attention to Deviance and Stratification. Her work consistently bridges academic scholarship with public discourse through accessible writing on contemporary issues.
Analysis of her publication record reveals persistent engagement with body politics, gendered power structures, and media representations. She examines phenomena ranging from hair bias against women of color to digital culture's impact on identity formation, consistently connecting micro-level experiences to macro-level social systems. Her scholarship demonstrates how popular culture—from reality TV to dating apps—reinforces or challenges societal norms.
Professional recognition includes:
- YSU Distinguished Professor in Service Award (2022)
- Mahoning Valley Young Professionals 25 Under 35 Honoree (2020)
As an educator, Fehlbaum teaches courses spanning Introduction to Sociology to specialized topics like Sociology of the Body and Health. Her community engagement extends beyond campus through leadership roles including President of the League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown and membership in the Steel Valley Reproductive Freedom Coalition. She actively supports BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and non-binary communities through both academic work and public activism, aligning with Black Lives Matter and reproductive justice movements.
