SRJ Hub: Scholarship

SRJ Scholarship

Byllye Avery SRJ Professorship

Named for the incomparable Byllye Avery, a pioneer in women’s health, thought leader in Reproductive Justice, and founder of the Black Women’s Health Imperative, this professorship will centralize SRJ programming, research, and scholarship at the school. The program also focuses on leadership development with an emphasis on challenging political environments and anti-evidence trends. This will empower the next generation of public health leaders to dismantle barriers and proliferate justice. Learn more about this endowed professorship

SRJ Curriculum at CUNY SPH

The CUNY SPH curriculum provides MPH and PhD students with an understanding of the socio-historical and political contexts that have and continue to shape related health outcomes across the lifespan, as well as a foundation for research and programmatic activities in maternal, child, reproductive and sexual health. CUNY SPH embraces a holistic approach to sexual and reproductive health within an SRJ framework that recognizes the diversity of human sexual expression, relationships, and family structures; promotes informed, healthy, respectful, and responsible choices, free from coercion; and supports increased access to elective preventive, screening, treatment, and support services.

Research

Audit of existing federal funding (NIH, EPA) available to study the role of environmental exposures in Black maternal and infant mortality to establish the need for additional targeted funding
Analysis of maternal meconium samples to establish the role of metal mixtures associated with adverse child outcomes to inform prevention strategies
Advocacy in city land use processes to require more accurate environmental impact statements and a showing of no harm prior to approving industrial sites in overburdened neighborhoods
Investigation of the impact of the Dobbs decision on medical integrity
Comprehensive review exposing migrants’ lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services
Study to understand the integration of reproductive health services in primary care, including the role of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)
Assessment of safety-net health care utilization among uninsured immigrants in New York City

Exploration of the establishment of a Wellness and Prevention Trust in Brooklyn, New York
Qualitative study of East Harlem adolescents and their life goals in the context of personal relationships, risk of pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
State and national analyses of welfare family-cap policies and violation of reproductive and human rights principles
Support research that identifies the contribution of environmental pollution to neuro-developmental and other health outcomes in children
Large-scale mixed-methods evaluation of a physician training program for advocacy around abortion and other reproductive health issues
Qualitative study of East Harlem adolescents and their life goals in the context of personal relationships, risk of pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
State and national analyses of welfare family-cap policies and violation of reproductive and human rights principles

Support research that identifies the contribution of environmental pollution to neuro-developmental and other health outcomes in children
Large-scale mixed-methods evaluation of a physician training program for advocacy around abortion and other reproductive health issues
Study of the intersectionality of racial and gender discrimination among teens exposed to dating violence
Mixed-methods study on patient, provider, and stakeholder perspectives to expand sexual and reproductive health services in primary care
Development of a patient-centered quality metric for reproductive autonomy
Study of the role of COVID-19, race and social factors in pregnancy experiences, delays to contraception, abortion, and miscarriage care during the pandemic
Evaluation of a multi-center NYC-based Doula program

Randomized controlled trial to identify the efficacy of a model socialization and sexuality education approach for adolescents and young adults with intellectual and development disabilities
Epidemiological studies to identify pro-inflammatory processes (i.e., infections, hypertension, diabetes, obesity) in pregnant women associated with neurodevelopmental disabilities (e.g., autism, intellectual disabilities, epilepsy)
Studies exploring needed supports from faculty, administration, and staff for pregnant and parenting students at CUNY
Key-informant interview study of child welfare professionals’ experience with secondary trauma/burnout and its impact on child and family case outcomes
Analysis of next-of-kin interviews about deaths from accidental opioid overdose focusing on decedents’ experiences with pregnancy, parenting, and child welfare involvement.