Megan Stanton

Megan Stanton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology and Social Work at Eastern Connecticut State University. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and integrates her expertise in trauma-informed care and harm reduction approaches into both teaching and research. As Director of Evaluation for the SUSTAIN Wellbeing COMPASS Coordinating Center, she focuses on addressing HIV in the U.S. South.

Her research emphasizes equity-centered implementation science and community-based participatory research, aiming to bridge structural oppression with health intervention practices. Megan is also deeply committed to macro social work practice, community mobilization, and training future social workers through real-world action and social change.

• Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
• Director of Research and Evaluation at the SUSTAIN Center (University of Houston)
• Recipient of a large grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation

Megan’s teaching philosophy centers on leveraging social policy and ethics to empower students for practical advocacy. She also highlights the diverse career opportunities in social work, ranging from therapy to social movements and nonprofit leadership.