Shani Harris

Shani Harris, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Spelman College, where she has served since 2007. She directs the Sexual Health and Media Lab and focuses on entertainment-education strategies to address HIV prevention and media's impact on sexual attitudes.

• Education: Ph.D. and MA in Clinical Psychology from Duke University, BA from Spelman College

Her research examines psychosocial factors influencing sexual risk-taking among African-American adolescent girls, media's role in shaping sexual norms, and innovative HIV interventions. She investigates physiological responses to sexual stereotypes in music videos and develops interdisciplinary curricula.

Dr. Harris' publications span HIV education, media influence, and mental health, reflecting collaborations with institutions like Emory and Johns Hopkins. Her work integrates neuroscience, public health, and media studies, emphasizing adolescent and adult populations.

• Scientific Awards: NIH-IRACDA fellowship, W.K. Kellogg Community Health Scholars Program

She has led the Feminist Media Task Force at the American Psychological Association and created blogs like FemPop: Feminist Perspectives of Popular Culture. Dr. Harris' grants include prestigious fellowships, and her lab explores media's physiological and behavioral impacts.