Sarah Rainey-Smithback

Sarah Rainey-Smithback is an Associate Professor at Bowling Green State University's School of Cultural and Critical Studies and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program. Her research focuses on sexually marginalized communities including people with disabilities, HIV/AIDS, and LGBT populations. She serves as Director and Graduate Coordinator for her program and Director of Undergraduate Studies for the School of Cultural and Critical Studies.

• Education: PhD in Women's Studies (2009) and Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies from The Ohio State University
• Research: Explores gendered/sexual citizenship, queer family structures, and disability representation in media
• Awards: Recipient of the 2015 President's Advising Award

Her recent work examines gender and sexuality politics in scouting organizations through a sexual citizenship lens, supported by a Spencer Foundation grant. She has developed over 10 social justice-oriented courses at BGSU, including service-learning programs focused on community organizing. Publications appear in journals like Sexualities, Hypatia, and Journal of Literary and Cultural Disability Studies. She also maintains professional affiliations with the National Women's Studies Association and Society for Disability Studies.

Dr. Rainey-Smithback's research combines ethnographic fieldwork (60+ interviews with scouting participants) with critical analysis of media representations. She is completing a manuscript on sexual representation of people with disabilities in popular film and television while developing best practices documents for youth organizations.