Stacey Vanderhurst

Dr. Stacey Vanderhurst is an Associate Professor in the Department of Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies at the University of Kansas. She holds courtesy appointments in Global and International Studies and African and African American Studies. Her research focuses on anti-trafficking programs in Nigeria, gendered migration policies, and the moral dimensions of women's mobility. She has conducted extensive ethnographic fieldwork in Nigerian state-run shelters for trafficking victims. Dr. Vanderhurst currently serves on the executive committees of KU's Center for Undergraduate Research and the Kansas African Studies Center.

Education: PhD from Brown University.

Research Interests: Dr. Vanderhurst examines intersections of public outrage and policy, particularly regarding gendered migration and human trafficking. Her work integrates cultural anthropology with governance frameworks, analyzing how anti-trafficking initiatives shape women’s lives and mobility rights. Key themes include global feminisms, development frameworks, and the ethical complexities of state interventions.

Funding & Support: Her research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, Social Science Research Council, Wenner-Gren Foundation, and American Council of Learned Societies.

Teaching: Courses include qualitative research methods, global feminisms, and gender and development. She focuses on experiential learning and critical feminist methodologies.