Mel Ferrara
Lecturer
School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Education
- PhD (2021) University of Arizona (Gender and Women's Studies; Social, Cultural, and Critical Theory minor)
- MA (2017) University of Arizona (Gender and Women's Studies)
- BA (2015) Muhlenberg College (Gender & Sexuality Studies; Philosophy/Political Thought)
Research
Primary Fields:
Feminist Science and Technology Studies; Trans Studies; Intersex Studies; Medical Anthropology; Medical Humanities; Feminist Disability Studies
Research Interests:
Infertility and assisted reproduction; endocrinology and hormones; X and Y chromosome variations; transgender medicine; race and gender formations
Current Project:
My current research examines the biomedicalization of 47,XXY/Klinefelter Syndrome (KS) since the 1940s and its impacts on the contemporary social experiences of adults with 47,XXY/KS and parents of children with 47,XXY/KS.
Feminist Science and Technology Studies; Trans Studies; Intersex Studies; Medical Anthropology; Medical Humanities; Feminist Disability Studies
Research Interests:
Infertility and assisted reproduction; endocrinology and hormones; X and Y chromosome variations; transgender medicine; race and gender formations
Current Project:
My current research examines the biomedicalization of 47,XXY/Klinefelter Syndrome (KS) since the 1940s and its impacts on the contemporary social experiences of adults with 47,XXY/KS and parents of children with 47,XXY/KS.
General Information
Education:
University of Arizona: Ph.D. in Gender & Women's Studies (minor in Social, Cultural, and Critical Theory), 2021
University of Arizona: M.A. in Gender & Women's Studies, 2017
Muhlenberg College: B.A. in Gender & Sexuality Studies; Philosophy/Political Thought
University of Arizona: Ph.D. in Gender & Women's Studies (minor in Social, Cultural, and Critical Theory), 2021
University of Arizona: M.A. in Gender & Women's Studies, 2017
Muhlenberg College: B.A. in Gender & Sexuality Studies; Philosophy/Political Thought
Institutional Service
- Freshman Experience Faculty Meetings Member
- Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Member
- Freshman Experience Faculty Meetings Member
- Freshman Experience Program Renaming Ad-Hoc Committee Member
Professional Service
- Point Foundation Moderator
Consulting Service
I have experience working on DEI policy development, curricula development, and training at universities and within healthcare systems. While intersectional, my work thus far has focused on LGBTQIA+ issues. Please contact me at [email protected] for further information.
Professional Societies
- NWSA – National Women's Studies Association Member
Grants, Contracts and Funds
2017 – 2020: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP)
2016 – 2020: Point Foundation Scholarship
2015: University of Arizona University Fellows Program
2016 – 2020: Point Foundation Scholarship
2015: University of Arizona University Fellows Program
Selected Publications
Journal Articles
Ferrara, Mel and Monica J. Casper. Genital Alteration and Intersex: A Critical Analysis. In Current Sexual Health Reports 10(1-6), 2018. DOI: 10.1007/s11930-018-0142-9.
Book Chapters
Ferrara, Mel and Monica J. Casper. Biopolitics. In Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology, 2nd ed. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell, 2021.
Ferrara, Mel. Feminisms Coming and Going. In Sex and Gender: A Reference Handbook, ed. David E. Newton. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, Inc, 2017.
Richmond, Kate, Theodore R. Burnes, Anneliese A. Singh, and Mel Ferrara. Assessment and Treatment of Trauma. In Affirmative Counseling and Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Clients, eds. Anneliese A. Singh and lore m. dickey. Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association, 2017.
Ferrara, Mel. Untangling Cisnormativity in Reproductive Healthcare. In Companion to the Anthropology of Reproduction, eds. Cecilia C. Van Hollen and Nayatara Sheoran Appleton. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell, forthcoming.
Book Reviews
Ferrara, Mel. Book Review: Queer Embodiment: Monstrosity, Medical Violence, and Intersex Experience (Hil Malatino). In Psychology of Women Quarterly, 2020. DOI: 10.1177/0361684320929335.
Ferrara, Mel. Book Review: Trans Medicine: The Emergence and Practice of Treating Gender (Stef M. Shuster). In Medical Anthropology Quarterly, 2021.
Ferrara, Mel and Monica J. Casper. Genital Alteration and Intersex: A Critical Analysis. In Current Sexual Health Reports 10(1-6), 2018. DOI: 10.1007/s11930-018-0142-9.
Book Chapters
Ferrara, Mel and Monica J. Casper. Biopolitics. In Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology, 2nd ed. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell, 2021.
Ferrara, Mel. Feminisms Coming and Going. In Sex and Gender: A Reference Handbook, ed. David E. Newton. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, Inc, 2017.
Richmond, Kate, Theodore R. Burnes, Anneliese A. Singh, and Mel Ferrara. Assessment and Treatment of Trauma. In Affirmative Counseling and Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Clients, eds. Anneliese A. Singh and lore m. dickey. Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association, 2017.
Ferrara, Mel. Untangling Cisnormativity in Reproductive Healthcare. In Companion to the Anthropology of Reproduction, eds. Cecilia C. Van Hollen and Nayatara Sheoran Appleton. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell, forthcoming.
Book Reviews
Ferrara, Mel. Book Review: Queer Embodiment: Monstrosity, Medical Violence, and Intersex Experience (Hil Malatino). In Psychology of Women Quarterly, 2020. DOI: 10.1177/0361684320929335.
Ferrara, Mel. Book Review: Trans Medicine: The Emergence and Practice of Treating Gender (Stef M. Shuster). In Medical Anthropology Quarterly, 2021.
Courses
Courses Taught at Stevens:
CAL-103: Writing and Communications
CAL-105: Knowledge, Nature, Culture
HST-120: Introduction to STS
Past Courses:
Topics in Women's and Gender Studies
Science and the Gendered Body
Queer Politics
Women in Western Culture - Critiques of Western Feminisms
Sex, Health, and AIDS
Race/Gender: Genealogies, Formations, Politics
Sexuality and Gender
Gender and Society
CAL-103: Writing and Communications
CAL-105: Knowledge, Nature, Culture
HST-120: Introduction to STS
Past Courses:
Topics in Women's and Gender Studies
Science and the Gendered Body
Queer Politics
Women in Western Culture - Critiques of Western Feminisms
Sex, Health, and AIDS
Race/Gender: Genealogies, Formations, Politics
Sexuality and Gender
Gender and Society