Denise E Brennan

Denise E Brennan is Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at Georgetown University and Faculty Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Gender+ Justice Initiative. Her work critically examines migration, trafficking, sex work, and the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.

Her educational background includes a Ph.D. from Yale University, an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University, and a B.A. from Smith College.

Professor Brennan's research focuses on the intersections of borders, migration, policing, and exploitation. She is the author of What's Love Got to Do with It?, which explores how Dominican women use sex tourism for migration, and Life Interrupted, which follows trafficking survivors in the U.S. Her current projects include The Border Is Everywhere and Life Amidst Fire, examining border policing and climate migration. Her work challenges conflation of sex work with trafficking and critiques immigration policies that exacerbate vulnerability.

Her scientific awards include the Georgetown College Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Outstanding Community-Based Learning Course Award, and Outstanding Faculty Instruction Award. She has also been awarded fellowships from the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, Woodrow Wilson International Center, Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, American Association of University Women, and the Fulbright Program.

Professor Brennan has secured significant research funding and founded the Trafficking Survivor Leadership Training Fund. She serves on the editorial boards of Anti-Trafficking Review and Human Condition/Political Conditions, and advises organizations such as the Best Practices Policy Project, Different Avenues, and HIPS, advocating for the rights of sex workers.