Cara Bergstrom-Lynch

Dr. Cara Bergstrom-Lynch is a Professor of Sociology at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU), specializing in gender, sexuality, families, and interpersonal violence. She holds a PhD and MA from the University of Michigan and a BA from Wellesley College. Her research explores LGBTQ+ family dynamics, social inequalities in parenting decisions, and domestic violence survivor experiences. She co-founded ECSU's antiracism committee to address systemic racism on campus through initiatives like racial climate surveys and invited speakers. Notable publications include her 2015 book examining LGBTQ+ parenting and a 2020 study on gender socialization in queer families.

Teaching holistically, she emphasizes student engagement and critical discourse on controversial topics. Beyond academia, she advocates for domestic violence survivors through fundraising for Safe Passage, raising over $20,000 via annual 5k runs in memory of Alyssiah Wiley. Student testimonials highlight her inspiring mentorship, particularly in courses like Sociology of Gender and LGBTQ+ Families.

Her scholarship spans journals such as Journal of Gender Studies and Affilia, addressing topics from domestic violence shelter policies to cohabitation gender dynamics. Ongoing research investigates body image perceptions among LGBTQ+ young adults through 51 in-depth interviews.