معرفی
M. Candace Christensen (they/them) is an associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Their work focuses on community-engaged, qualitative, and arts-based research methodologies that prevent and respond to gendered, racial, and anti-LGBTQ+ violence. Christensen's research is grounded in their positionalities as Femme genderqueer, poly-sexual, artist-activist, and survivor of sexual violence.
Christensen holds a BA in theatre and literature from the University of Texas at Dallas and an MSW and PhD from the University of Utah. They were recently named a U-M Public Engagement Faculty Fellow in March 2024, recognizing their commitment to community engagement and social justice.
Christensen's research interests include:
- Critical feminist approaches to community-engaged research
- Arts-based methodologies for social justice
- Queer and trans youth development
- Preventing and responding to gendered, racial, and anti-LGBTQ+ violence
- Transformative justice and anti-carceral approaches
- White supremacy culture in organizations supporting LGBTQ+ youth
Christensen's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on how community-based organizations can support sexual and gender minority youth development, the use of photovoice and theatre of the oppressed for social work education and intervention, and transformative justice approaches to addressing violence. Their work consistently emphasizes intersectionality, centering the experiences of those at multiple marginalized identities, particularly queer and trans youth of color.
Scientific awards and recognition:
- U-M Public Engagement Faculty Fellow (2024)
Christensen teaches courses including Gender-Based Violence: Community, System, and Policy Responses in the Global Context, Feminist and Critical Intersectionality Approaches to Community Change, and Essentials of Community and Organizational Practice. They have taught these courses across multiple semesters, demonstrating a commitment to educating future social workers in critical approaches to addressing violence and promoting social justice.
Christensen's work bridges academic research with community activism, using arts-based methods to create spaces for healing, empowerment, and social change. Their research not only documents challenges faced by marginalized communities but also identifies promising practices for organizations seeking to support sexual and gender minority youth development.
