Academic Interests

 

Academically, Riley is most interested in health care barriers in marginalized communities, the impact of social attitudes on health outcomes, and the development of culturally competent and critical pedagogy. Long story short, Riley is interested in what it’s like to be queer, trans, poor, kinky, poly, and/or non-White, etc. and seek health care or services. What’s it like to feel like parts of your body don’t fit or don’t work the way you want them to? How does that affect one’s willingness to enter into medical and social service interactions and what impact do body issues have on health outcomes? How can we educate ourselves and other people about our bodies and our options?

Riley is also very interested in gender theory and praxis, and finds his brain hurting about questions about what it means to be a man, when does such a thing happen, and who has the authority to label. He lectures regularly at area colleges and universities on topics related to GLBTQ health, trans topics, and trauma recovery.