Danielle Bessett

Academic Profile

Academic Background: B.A., Mount Holyoke College; M.A. and Ph.D., New York University; Charlotte Ellertson Social Science Postdoctoral Fellowship (2008-2010).

Research Interests: Sociology of medicine, family, and reproduction; patient experiences of abortion care; disparities in contraceptive access, prenatal care, and infant mortality.

Appointments: Professor of Sociology, University of Cincinnati; Director, Kunz Center for Social Research; Faculty Affiliate, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Contributor, Medical Scientist Training Program, UC College of Medicine; Co-Leader, Ohio Policy Evaluation Network (OPEN).

Awards: 2004 Dr. Mary P. Dole Medical Fellowship; 2007 Rose Laub Coser Best Dissertation Proposal in Family or Gender Studies; 2017 Cincinnati Women’s Political Caucus Outstanding Achievement Award; 2021 Society of Family Planning Mentor Award; 2021 UC Faculty Excellence Award; 2012 'Professor Funnybone' Award; 2017 UC Women's Center Woman of the Year Award.

Publications:

• Pregnant with Possibilities: Constructing Normality in Stratified Reproduction (under contract, New York University Press).
• Ohio Under Covid (co-edited, forthcoming, University of Michigan Press).

Editorial Contributions: Past board member, Society of Family Planning (led Junior Fellows Committee); former Secretary-Treasurer, American Sociological Association’s Medical Sociology section.