Eden Nay (they/them) is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Sociology. They focus on the connections between queer disability studies and social science, specifically critical social theory and quantitative research. With a background in social work, Eden holds strong justice- and community-orientations in their academic practices—from teaching to researching to writing. 

 

Eden’s dissertation bridges stigma scholarship and queer disability studies to quantitatively examine the associations between stigma at the individual, interpersonal, and structural levels with mental health among trans and nonbinary people over time. Specifically, Eden’s work includes a national, longitudinal survey of trans and nonbinary participants and a compilation of state-level characteristics such as trans-specific laws, implicit bias aggregates, and LGBTQ+ representation among elected officials. The purpose of Eden’s dissertation is to evaluate mental health outcomes among trans and nonbinary adults in light of the growing crisis for trans rights in the United States.