Carla A. Pfeffer

Carla A. Pfeffer is Professor and Chair of Sociology at Michigan State University, with affiliations in the Consortium for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Center for Gender in Global Context. Her research examines marginality, stigma, and identity negotiation at intersections of gender, sexuality, bodies, health, and family systems.

Pfeffer's scholarship investigates trans pregnancy experiences, fat justice movements, LGBTQ healthcare access, and queer kinship formations. Her acclaimed book Queering Families analyzes partnerships between cisgender women and transgender men, receiving multiple awards including the ASA Sex and Gender Section Distinguished Book Award.

Research encompasses:

• Trans reproductive justice and healthcare access
• Fat studies and body liberation movements
• Queer family formations and kinship practices
• Intersectional methodologies in gender/sexuality research

Pfeffer has secured funding from the Economic and Social Research Council, Mellon Foundation, and American Council of Learned Societies. She serves as Editor-in-Chief of Fat Studies and was elected Chair of ASA's Sex and Gender Section. Her community engagement includes DEI leadership in K-12 education systems.