Jessica Shaw

Jessica Shaw is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Social Work, Calgary Campus, University of Calgary, and serves as Graduate Program Director. She specializes in reproductive justice, medical assistance in dying (MAiD), and community-led research methodologies.

• Educational Background:
  • B.A. in Women's Studies and Psychology (University of Ottawa, 2006)
  • B.S.W. (Lakehead University, 2009)
  • M.S.W. (Lakehead University, 2010)
  • Ph.D. in Social Work (University of Calgary, 2015)

Her research focuses on abortion access outside medicolegal systems, MAiD experiences in marginalized communities, and relational research grounded in decolonial, queer, and feminist frameworks. She has led projects on self-managed abortion, transgender suicidality, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and medicalization of birth.

Shaw is actively involved in scholarship of teaching and learning, exploring podcasting as pedagogy and virtual learning circles. She contributes to SSHRC adjudication and participates in university strategic initiatives like Human Dynamics in a Changing World (2015-2021).

• Key Research Partnerships:
  • Collaborations with NGOs on community-based abortion care and activism
  • Engagement with MSW/PhD students in reproductive justice and secondary data analysis